===== Item Writing =====
**Item Writing** is a web application that is used to create and maintain [[exam_entry|Exams]] and [[item_entry|Item]] [[concepts#Banks and Bank Level|Banks]] along.  Maintaining Items consists of maintaining the Item text, answer key and all associated meta.  Maintaining Exams consists of maintaining the Items comprising the Exam, [[candidate_entry|Candidates]] registered to the Exam, the Candidate responses for the Exam and calculating and [[report_selector|reporting]] on [[exam_calculations|results]].

**Item Writing** is part of the **Certification Enterprise (CE)** suite of applications.  

Click here to view the overview document. {{ :overview:item_writing_-_overview.pdf |Application Overview}}

==== Logging In ====
**Item Writing** supports two authentication modes for validating users when logging in. See [[concepts#Authentication Modes|Authentication Modes]] for a full discussion on Authentication Modes.

=== Forms Authentication Login ===
If the system is configured to use **Forms Authentication** the user must enter their Login ID and Password, then press **Login** button to gain access to **Item Writing**.  The user can optionally have their browser remember their Login ID and Password by checking the **Remember me next time** check box, though this is not recommended.

{{:loginforms.png?400|}}

=== Windows Authentication Login ===
If the system is configured to use **Windows Authentication** the user must enter their **network** Login ID and Password, then pressing the **OK** button.  Note: the following screen shot may be different depending on browser used and operating system.

{{:loginwindows.png?400|}}


==== Master Page ====
Upon logging in, the user is navigated to the Master Page.  The Master Page consists of a header bar that appears at the top of the every page that has a logo, selected Bank and Exam, a user menu (for maintaining passwords and logging out) and the main menu for the application.   See [[master_page|Master Page]] for more.

==== Main Menu ====
Item Writing has a main menu bar on the master pages header bar.  The menu is shared on all the pages of the Item Writing application.  The menu options available to users is based on User permissions that are maintained on [[security_edit_user_general|Security Edit User]].

{{:mastermenu.png?600|}}

=== Item Writing Menu ===
  * [[bank_select_level_1|Bank Select (Level 1)]]
  * [[bank_select_level_3|Bank Select (Level 3)]]

== Item Tools ==
  * [[item_entry|Item Entry]]
  * [[item_group_Entry|Item Group Entry]]
  * [[item_import|Item Import]]

== Exam Tools ==
  * [[exam_entry|Exam Entry]]
     * [[exam_calculations|Calculations]]
     * [[exam_reports|Reports]]
     * [[exam_document|Document Build]]
     * [[session_entry|Session Entry]]
  * [[exam_item_usage_export|Exam Item Usage Export]]
  * [[exam_import|New Exam from File]]
  * [[exam_import_answer_key|New Exam from Answer Key File]]
  * [[term_entry|Term Entry]]

== Other Entry Tools ==
  * [[Attachment_Entry|Attachment Entry]]
  * [[Author_Entry|Author Entry]]
  * [[Candidate_Entry|Candidate Entry]]
  * [[Competency_Entry|Competency Entry]]
  * [[Copyright_Entry|Copyright Entry]]
  * [[Reference_Entry|Reference Entry]]


=== System Menu ===
  * [[Address_type_Entry|Address Type Entry]]
  * [[Audit]]
  * [[bank_entry_level_1|Bank Entry (Level 1)]]
  * [[bank_entry_level_3|Bank Entry (Level 3)]]
  * [[Competency_type_Entry|Competency Type Entry]]
  * [[Contact_type_Entry|Contact Type Entry]]
  * [[country_Entry|Country Entry]]
  * [[country_region_Entry|Country Region Entry]]
  * [[Email_type_Entry|Email Type Entry]]
  * [[Ethnicity_Entry|Ethnicity Entry]]
  * [[Gender_Entry|Gender Entry]]
  * [[item_meta_type_Entry|Item Meta Type Entry]]
  * [[reference_type_Entry|Reference Type Entry]]

  * [[Record_Lock|Record Lock]]
  * [[Report_Selector|Report Selector]] 
  * [[External_Processes|External Processes]]
  * [[Security_Audit|Security Audit]]
  * [[Security_Entry_Role|Security Entry Roles]]
  * [[Security_Entry_User|Security Entry Users]]
  * [[Custom Fields]]

=== Help Menu ===
  * Help - Opens this Help information.
  * [[Help_About|About]]