benchmark vs reference point

benchmark and reference point both are nouns.

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

As nouns, reference point is a hypernym of benchmark; that is, reference point 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
reference point: an indicator that orients you generally

Other hypernyms of benchmark include point of reference, reference.

benchmark (noun)	reference point (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