Which of the following negatively impacts a credit score?

High debt and late payments significantly harm a credit score because these factors are key components of how creditworthiness is evaluated. Credit scoring models consider payment history as the most crucial element when determining a score, with late payments carrying considerable weight. If a borrower misses a payment or fails to keep their debt levels manageable, it signals to lenders that they may struggle to meet future obligations. This increased risk manifests as a lower credit score, making it more difficult and expensive to obtain credit in the future. Though all elements related to credit usage and repayment practices impact scores in some way, the combination of high debt levels and a history of late payments creates a highly unfavorable situation for an individual's creditworthiness.