What Is an ATS Score and How to Improve It

If you have been applying to jobs online and not hearing back, your ATS score could be the reason. This guide explains exactly what an ATS score is, how it is calculated, and — most importantly — the specific things you can do to improve it.

What Is an ATS Score?

An ATS score is a numerical ranking that Applicant Tracking Systems assign to your resume based on how well it matches a specific job description. It represents the compatibility between your resume and the role you are applying for.

The score is not universal — it changes with every job you apply to. A resume with a 90% ATS score for a Python developer role might score 40% for a data analyst role. This is why tailoring your resume matters.

Most ATS systems score resumes on a scale of 0-100 or use a similar ranking system. Resumes below a certain threshold (typically 50-60%) are automatically deprioritised or filtered out before a human reviews them.

How ATS Scores Are Calculated

Different ATS systems use different algorithms, but most evaluate:

1. Keyword Match (Highest Weight)

The system compares the skills, tools, and phrases in your resume against the job description. Exact matches score higher than partial or semantic matches.

A job description asking for "Google Analytics" and "SEO" will score your resume higher if those exact terms appear — not "web analytics" or "search engine work."

2. Job Title Relevance

Your most recent job title is heavily weighted. If you are applying for a "Product Manager" role and your last title was "Associate Product Manager," that is still a strong match. If your title was "Business Development Executive," the match is weak even if your work was similar.

3. Years of Experience

Many ATS systems check whether your total experience and experience with specific tools meets the minimum requirements. If a role requires 5 years of experience and you have 2, some systems will automatically score you lower.

4. Education Match

Required degrees and fields of study are checked. A computer science degree matches software engineering roles better than an arts degree, regardless of skills.

5. Resume Format Readability

If the ATS cannot parse your resume correctly — due to tables, columns, graphics, or complex formatting — it scores fields as empty. A perfectly qualified candidate with an unreadable resume can score near zero.

What Is a Good ATS Score?

There is no universal standard, but general benchmarks:

Score	What It Means
80-100%	Strong match — likely to be reviewed
60-79%	Moderate match — may be reviewed depending on applicant volume
40-59%	Weak match — likely filtered out at high-volume companies
Below 40%	Poor match — almost certainly filtered out

For competitive roles at large companies, aim for 75%+ before applying.

How to Improve Your ATS Score

1. Tailor Your Resume to Each Job Description

This is the single most effective way to improve your score. Read the job description and identify:

Required skills and tools
Preferred skills
The exact job title
Industry-specific terms

Include the ones you genuinely have in your resume — especially in your skills section and work experience.

2. Fix Your Formatting

Use a clean, single-column format. Remove:

Tables and multi-column layouts
Text boxes
Graphics, icons, and images
Headers and footers containing contact info

Use standard section headings: Skills, Work Experience, Education, Certifications.

3. Use Both Acronyms and Full Forms

Write "Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)" not just "SEO." Write "Structured Query Language (SQL)" not just "SQL." ATS systems may search for either form.

4. Save as DOCX

DOCX files parse more reliably than PDFs across most ATS systems. Use DOCX unless the application specifically requires PDF.

5. Strengthen Your Skills Section

List every relevant skill you have. Do not abbreviate or use creative descriptions. "Proficient in data visualisation" is weaker than listing "Tableau, Power BI, Google Data Studio" explicitly.

6. Use the Right Job Title in Your Summary

If you are applying for a "Senior Software Engineer" role, your summary should mention "Senior Software Engineer" or the specific technologies involved — not a generic description of your experience.

7. Check Your Score Before Applying

ATSAlign's free ATS checker shows your ATS score for any job description in seconds. Upload your resume, paste the job description, and see:

Your overall compatibility score
Which keywords are present
Which keywords are missing
Specific suggestions to improve

It takes 30 seconds and requires no signup.

Common Mistakes That Lower Your ATS Score

Submitting the same resume to every job — different jobs require different keywords. One resume fits none perfectly.

Using a graphic-heavy template — Canva and design templates look great but score poorly on ATS.

Not listing tools explicitly — saying "experienced in analytics platforms" instead of listing "Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude."

Missing the obvious keywords — not including the job title itself or the primary tool listed in the JD.

Summary

Your ATS score determines whether your resume reaches a human. Improve it by tailoring keywords to each job description, fixing formatting issues, and checking your score before you apply. A 15-minute edit based on real keyword gaps can be the difference between silence and a callback.

Sources & Further Reading

What Is an Applicant Tracking System? – Workday — Enterprise ATS documentation on score computation and candidate ranking
What Is an ATS? – Greenhouse — How ATS platforms evaluate and display candidate-to-job match percentages
Talent Acquisition Trends 2026 – SHRM — HR industry guidance on using ATS scores to improve application outcomes