How to Check Your ATS Score: Free Resume Scanner Guide

You've applied to 50 jobs this month. Radio silence on all of them.

Your resume looks great. You've proofread it ten times. Your experience matches the job descriptions perfectly. Yet somehow, it never seems to reach a human.

The culprit? Your resume might be failing ATS scans before any recruiter sees it.

An ATS score measures how well your resume matches a job description's requirements. Understanding this score, and how to test it, can transform your job search from frustrating silence to actual interviews.

What Is an ATS Score?

An ATS score is a compatibility rating that Applicant Tracking Systems assign to your resume. Most ATS systems use a 0-100 scoring scale, with 80+ considered strong. This score determines whether your resume gets forwarded to recruiters or sits in a digital pile that nobody reviews.

The score is calculated based on:

• Keyword matches between your resume and the job description
• Skills alignment with required and preferred qualifications
• Format compatibility with the parsing system
• Section recognition (can the ATS find your experience, education, skills?)

Think of it like a compatibility percentage on a dating app. The higher your score, the more likely you are to get noticed.

How ATS Parsers Actually Score Resumes

When you submit an application, the ATS doesn't read your resume like a human would. It extracts data, categorizes information, and compares it against the job posting. Here's what happens:

Step 1: Text Extraction

The ATS converts your resume into plain text. This is where formatting issues cause immediate problems. Tables, graphics, headers, and unusual fonts can all break this process.

Step 2: Section Identification

The system looks for standard headers: Experience, Education, Skills, Summary. Creative headers like "Where I've Made Impact" might not be recognized, causing entire sections to be mislabeled or ignored.

Step 3: Keyword Matching

The ATS compares your resume against the job description, looking for:

• Hard skills (Python, Project Management, Financial Modeling)
• Soft skills (Leadership, Communication)
• Certifications (PMP, CPA, AWS Certified)
• Industry terms (Agile, B2B, SaaS)

Step 4: Score Calculation

Based on these factors, the system generates a match percentage. Only resumes above a certain threshold (often 70-80%) get forwarded to recruiters.

Free ATS Scanner Tools Compared

Several tools let you test your resume before submitting applications. Here's an honest comparison:

The key is using tools that simulate real ATS behavior, not just keyword counters.

Step-by-Step: Testing Your Resume

Here's exactly how to test your resume's ATS compatibility:

1. Choose a Job Description

Select a real job posting you're interested in. Copy the entire description, including requirements, responsibilities, and qualifications.

2. Upload Your Resume

Use an ATS scanner tool and upload your current resume. Most accept PDF or DOCX formats.

3. Paste the Job Description

Add the job description for comparison. This enables job-specific keyword analysis.

4. Review Your Score

Look at your overall match percentage and the breakdown:

• 80%+: Strong match, likely to pass initial screening
• 60-79%: Moderate match, consider optimization
• Below 60%: Significant gaps, needs work

5. Analyze the Details

Focus on:

• Missing keywords: Terms in the job posting absent from your resume
• Parsing errors: Sections not correctly identified
• Format issues: Any warnings about tables, graphics, or unusual elements

6. Make Targeted Fixes

Address the specific issues identified, then retest to confirm improvements.

Common Parsing Failures (And How to Fix Them)

Tables and graphics are the #1 cause of ATS parsing failures. Here are the most common issues:

Tables and Columns

Problem: Two-column layouts get read left-to-right across columns, scrambling your information.

Fix: Use a single-column layout. If you must use columns, keep them in the skills section only.

Graphics and Icons

Problem: Skill bars, icons, and infographics are invisible to ATS.

Fix: Remove all graphics. List skills as plain text: "Python (Advanced), SQL (Intermediate)"

Headers and Footers

Problem: Many ATS systems ignore header and footer content entirely.

Fix: Keep your contact information in the main body, not in header/footer areas.

Unusual Fonts

Problem: Decorative fonts may not render correctly during text extraction.

Fix: Stick to standard fonts: Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, Georgia.

PDF Issues

Problem: PDFs created from design tools (Canva, Photoshop) often contain scrambled underlying text.

Fix: Test your PDF by copying all text (Ctrl+A, Ctrl+C) and pasting into Notepad. If it's garbled, recreate in Word and export as PDF.

How to Improve Your Score: 5 Quick Wins

After testing your resume, here are the fastest ways to boost your ATS score:

1. Mirror Job Description Language

If the posting says "project management," use "project management" exactly. Don't substitute with "PM" or "managing projects."

Before:

Managed team deliverables and timelines

After:

Led project management for cross-functional team, ensuring on-time deliverables

2. Add a Skills Section

Create a dedicated skills section that includes keywords from the job description:

Skills: Project Management, Agile, Scrum, JIRA, Stakeholder Management, Budget Planning, Risk Assessment, Team Leadership

3. Use Standard Section Headers

Stick with headers ATS systems recognize:

• Professional Summary (not "About Me")
• Work Experience (not "Where I've Been")
• Education (not "Academic Background")
• Skills (not "What I Know")

4. Quantify Achievements

Numbers parse cleanly and improve both ATS scoring and human readability:

Before:

Improved sales performance

After:

Increased regional sales by 34% ($2.1M annual revenue) through strategic account management

5. Include Both Acronyms and Full Terms

Cover all variations that might appear in job descriptions:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certified with expertise in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems including Salesforce

Before/After Example

Here's a real transformation from 45% to 92% match:

Before (45% Match)

Professional Profile

Results-driven professional with extensive experience in leading teams and driving business outcomes. Skilled at communication and problem-solving.

Career Highlights

• Managed multiple projects simultaneously
• Improved team productivity
• Worked with stakeholders across departments

Issues:

• Non-standard headers ("Professional Profile," "Career Highlights")
• Generic language without keywords
• No quantifiable achievements
• Missing skills section

After (92% Match)

Professional Summary

Project Manager with 6+ years of experience leading cross-functional teams using Agile methodology. PMP certified with expertise in JIRA, stakeholder management, and budget planning.

Work Experience

• Led project management for 8-person cross-functional team, delivering projects 15% under budget
• Improved team productivity by 40% through implementation of Scrum framework
• Managed stakeholder communication across 5 departments, achieving 95% satisfaction rating

Skills

Project Management | Agile | Scrum | JIRA | Budget Planning | Stakeholder Management | Risk Assessment | Cross-functional Leadership

Improvements:

• Standard headers ATS recognizes
• Job-specific keywords naturally integrated
• Quantified achievements with metrics
• Dedicated skills section with relevant terms

Frequently Asked Questions

What's a good ATS score?

Most recruiters only review resumes scoring 70-80% or higher. Aim for at least 80% for competitive roles. However, don't obsess over hitting 100%. A well-written 85% resume often outperforms a keyword-stuffed 95% resume when humans review it.

Do I need a 100% ATS score?

No. In fact, chasing a perfect score often leads to awkward keyword stuffing that hurts your chances with human reviewers. Focus on 80%+ while maintaining natural, readable content.

How accurate are free ATS scanners?

Accuracy varies. The best tools simulate actual ATS parsing behavior, while basic tools just count keywords. Use scanners that show you exactly how your resume parses, not just a percentage.

Should I test against every job I apply to?

For jobs you're serious about, yes. Create a master resume, then tailor and test for specific positions. For high-volume applications to similar roles, test once per job type.

Can I game the ATS by hiding keywords?

Don't try this. Older advice suggested adding white text with keywords, but modern ATS detects this and often flags applications as spam. Your resume may be automatically rejected or blacklisted.

Does ATS score matter more than content quality?

They're equally important. A high ATS score gets you past automated filters, but once humans see your resume, content quality determines whether you get an interview. Optimize for both.

Take Action

Understanding your ATS score isn't just about gaming a system. It's about ensuring your actual qualifications are visible to the people making hiring decisions.

If your resume consistently scores below 70%, you're likely applying to dozens of jobs without ever being seen. That's not a reflection of your abilities. It's a formatting problem with a clear solution.

Test your resume, fix the issues, and stop wondering why qualified candidates hear nothing back.

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Ready to test your resume? Try ResumeFast's free ATS checker to see exactly how your resume parses and get specific recommendations for improvement.

For more on how these systems work behind the scenes, read our complete guide to ATS systems or learn the truth about the 75% ATS rejection myth.