What are incorrect choices in a multiple-choice examination called?

In a multiple-choice examination, the term used for the incorrect choices is "distractors." Distractors are designed to challenge the test-taker's knowledge and ability to differentiate between correct and incorrect responses. They serve a critical purpose in assessing an individual's understanding of the subject matter. A well-constructed multiple-choice question will include one correct answer and several distractors that are plausible enough to be considered by the test-taker, yet clearly distinguishable by someone with a solid grasp of the content.

The rationale for naming them "distractors" is that they aim to mislead or distract the examinee from the correct answer. This requires test-takers to think critically about their choices rather than relying on guesswork.

Other terminology such as "alternatives," "options," and "choices" can refer to the total set of available answers in a multiple-choice question, which includes both correct and incorrect answers, but these terms do not specifically imply the incorrect nature of the responses. Therefore, "distractors" is the most accurate term to describe incorrect choices in this context.