What term refers to the different answer choices provided in a multiple choice question?

The term that refers to the different answer choices provided in a multiple choice question is "response alternatives." This terminology is frequently used in educational and assessment contexts to denote the various options from which a test-taker can choose. Response alternatives encompass all the potential options given to the examinee, which includes one or more correct answers as well as distractors, or incorrect answers.

Using the term "response alternatives" emphasizes the role each choice plays in the assessment process, highlighting that they are not just answers, but rather alternatives presented for selection. This distinction is important for understanding test design and the strategies used in multiple choice question formulation.

The other terms like "response options" and "answer choices" are often utilized interchangeably in casual conversation but do not carry the same level of specificity in academic contexts. "Selection criteria," on the other hand, refers to the standards or benchmarks used to evaluate something, which is unrelated to the concept of answer choices in a multiple choice format. Understanding this specificity helps in grasping the mechanics and structure of assessments more accurately.