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Identifying distractors

Distractors are wrong options designed to catch common mistakes: the right method with a slip, or a nearly-right answer. Spotting them helps you check your work.

What is tested

  • Recognising typical wrong answers
  • Options built from common errors
  • Checking a result against the distractors

Worked example

Share £72 in the ratio 2:3:4. Options are £16, £24, £32, £36. Which options are distractors?

  1. The correct largest share is £32.
  2. £16 and £24 are the smaller shares.
  3. £36 is half of 72.

Answer: £16, £24 and £36 are distractors

Exam-day checklist

  • Notice which options are results of half-way steps.
  • Ask which mistake would give each wrong option.
  • Confirm your answer by another method.
  • Reread what the question asks for.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing an intermediate result.
  • Choosing the first option that matches your working.
  • Not rereading the question.

Try it yourself

1. What common mistake gives 2 × 3 + 4 = 14 instead of 10 for 2 + 3 × 4?

Show answer

Working left to right

Multiplication comes before addition.

2. Why is 'the wrong direction' a common distractor for rotations?

Show answer

Because clockwise and anticlockwise are easy to mix up

The distractor shows the opposite rotation.

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More topic guides

Ratio and proportionPercentages, fractions and decimalsAlgebra: equations and sequencesProbabilityVerbal reasoning: codesVerbal reasoning: logic and orderingNon-verbal reasoning: sequences and matricesEnglish: inference and comprehensionArithmeticNumber and place valueFractionsDecimalsProportionNumber sequencesGeometry: angles and shapesMeasurementTimeMoneyAveragesData handlingMulti-step problemsWorded problems3D shapes: volume and surface areaCoordinates and translationsSpeed, distance and timeVenn and Carroll diagramsEnglish: grammarEnglish: spellingEnglish: punctuationEnglish: vocabularyEnglish: editing and proofreadingEnglish: comprehensionEnglish: comparing two textsEnglish: paragraph ordering and cohesionEnglish: register and purposeEnglish: deductionEnglish: sentence completionEnglish: contextEnglish: word relationshipsEnglish: literary understandingEnglish: creative writingShuffled sentencesClauses: main, subordinate and relativeVerbal reasoning: analogiesVerbal reasoning: classificationVerbal reasoning: letter and word sequencesVerbal reasoning: word relationshipsVerbal reasoning: hidden wordsVerbal reasoning: compound wordsVerbal reasoning: letter patternsMove a letterInsert a letterAnagrams and word laddersLetter and symbol sumsNon-verbal reasoning: transformationsNon-verbal reasoning: rotationsNon-verbal reasoning: reflectionsNon-verbal reasoning: symmetryNon-verbal reasoning: spatial reasoningNon-verbal reasoning: analogiesNon-verbal reasoning: paper foldingNon-verbal reasoning: cube netsNon-verbal reasoning: odd one outPlans and elevations (3D views)Shape assemblyTime management in the examEliminating incorrect optionsChecking your workReading questions carefullySkipping and returning to questionsWorking under pressureHandling unfamiliar questions

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