Incorrect answer choices to multiple-choice test questions are referred to as:

The term used to describe incorrect answer choices in a multiple-choice test is "distractors." Distractors are intentionally designed to be plausible enough to engage the test taker and require them to think critically about their choice, differentiating them from the correct answer. This term is widely used in educational contexts, particularly in test design, to indicate that while distractors are incorrect, they serve a purpose in assessing the test-taker's knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.

Other terms, while potentially applicable in broader contexts, do not specifically convey this nuanced meaning. For instance, "options" and "alternatives" can refer to any possible answer, correct or incorrect, and do not imply a focus on the incorrect ones. "Distractions," while hinting at the idea of drawing attention away from the right answer, lacks the specificity needed to identify those incorrect options within the framework of test design. Thus, "distractors" is the precise term that encapsulates the concept of incorrect answer choices in multiple-choice assessments.