Which practice is discouraged when crafting distractors?

• A. Using obviously wrong distractors
• B. Making distractors plausible
• C. Avoiding overlap with correct answer
• D. Keeping distractors short

Answer: (A)

Distractors should be believable and similar in quality to the correct answer. Using obviously wrong distractors is discouraged because they let test-takers dismiss a choice quickly, making the item easy to guess and reducing its ability to differentiate those who truly understand the material. In practice, plausible distractors—often reflecting common misconceptions or related concepts—keep the question challenging and fair. Keeping distractors concise helps readers compare options more efficiently, and avoiding overlap with the correct answer prevents confusion and preserves a clear distinction. When distractors are well-crafted and plausible, the question more accurately measures understanding rather than test-taking shortcuts.