A distractor in instructional design refers to an incorrect answer choice provided in a multiple-choice question (MCQ) or assessment. The purpose of a distractor is to challenge the learner by presenting plausible but incorrect options, requiring them to carefully consider all choices and select the correct answer. Distractors are designed to test the learner’s knowledge, comprehension, and ability to differentiate between correct and incorrect information.

For example, in the MCQ below, the correct answer is dog. All other answers are distractors. 

A poodle can be classified as a: 

1. cat
2. bird
3. reptile
4. dog 

See also 

• Multiple Choice Question 

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