Proximate cause is often referred to as which type of test?

The proximate cause is correctly identified with the "but-for test," which is used to establish a direct link between a defendant's actions and the resulting harm or injury. This test focuses on whether the harm would have occurred "but for" the defendant's conduct. If the injury would not have happened without the defendant's actions, then that conduct is considered a proximate cause of the injury.

Understanding that proximate cause involves looking at the relationship between the action and the outcome provides a framework for evaluating legal responsibility. The "but-for test" serves as a foundational principle in tort law, helping to determine liability by assessing causation strictly and directly linked to the defendant’s behavior.

In contrast, the terms in the other options do not relate directly to the concept of proximate cause. The necessity test often pertains to defenses in criminal law rather than establishing causation, the reasonableness test generally applies to standards of behavior in negligence cases, and the compatibility test is not a widely recognized term in the context of causation law. Each of these terms serves different functions in legal discussions and highlights the proper use of terminology when discussing legal principles.