Credit scoring models also take into account when a consumer is shopping for the best rate on a student loan, auto loan, or mortgage and do not penalize them for this comparison shopping.

For these types of loans, scoring models generally count multiple inquiries as one inquiry if they occur within a reasonably short period of time.

In general, credit inquiries for the same type of loan made within a 14-day period will be treated as no more than a single inquiry. For the most common credit scoring models, student loan, auto loan and mortgage-related inquiries that occur 30 days prior to scoring have no effect at all on your credit score. Outside this 30-day period, student loan, auto loan and mortgage-related inquiries that occur within any 45-day period are treated as a single inquiry.