benchmark vs point of reference

benchmark and point of reference both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
benchmark	Yes	No	No	No
point of reference	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, point of reference is a hypernym of benchmark; that is, point of reference is a word with a broader meaning than benchmark:

benchmark: a surveyor's mark on a permanent object of predetermined position and elevation used as a reference point
point of reference: an indicator that orients you generally

Other hypernyms of benchmark include reference, reference point.

benchmark (noun)	point of reference (noun)
a standard by which something can be measured or judged	an indicator that orients you generally
a surveyor's mark on a permanent object of predetermined position and elevation used as a reference point