Achievement in Music (AIM) Piano Exams
The Achievement in Music (AIM) program is a comprehensive, leveled curriculum developed by the Illinois State Music Teachers Association (ISMTA). This non-competitive event is designed to foster success for piano students at every level. Each year, students are evaluated by a judge (a fellow NSMTA teacher) and receive a score, written feedback, and awards in recognition of their achievement.
NSMTA AIM Coordinators:
Lake Forest Area: Jennifer Cohen, LFaim@nsmta.org
Northwestern Area: Jia-Yee Tang, NUaim@nsmta.org
Level 1-2 Exams: Maggie Bottini, aim1-2@nsmta.org
About the AIM Program
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Order AIM Materials from the ISMTA Shop: www.ismta.org/shop
2014 AIM Piano Syllabus: Detailed curriculum requirements for each AIM level.
Student Workbooks: available as digital (self print) and hard copy (shipping fees apply)
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AIM Levels 1A, 1B, 1C and 2 exams are administered on the first or second Sunday of March. Students will take the entire exam (Theory and Performance) on this day.
Students are evaluated on the following components:
Keyboard Skills: Sight-reading, keyboard geography, aural skills and harmonization.
Technique: Major and minor five-finger patterns, 2-note slurs, B Major scale and cross-hand arpeggios.
The performance of two memorized repertoire pieces.
A one-page written exam (for Level 2 students only)
Refer to the 2014 AIM Syllabus for specific curriculum requirements and repertoire lists.
For full procedural information, see the 2025-26 AIM Packet.
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The AIM exam for Levels 3-11 is divided into two parts, taken at different times of the year: the Theory Exam and the Performance Exam.
1) THEORY EXAM
Administered in winter, typically on the last two Sundays of January (or the last Sunday of January and the first Sunday of February, depending on the calendar).
Keyboard Skills: sight-reading, sight rhythm, harmonization, transposition, and melody playback
Written Exam: terms, symbols, key signatures, figured bass, score analysis, composers, and music history
Aural Skills Exam: Identification of intervals, chord qualities, chord progressions, and a melodic dictation
2) PERORMANCE EXAM
Administered in spring, typically on the last two Sundays of April (or the last Sunday of April and the first Sunday of May, depending on the calendar).
Technique: Five-finger patterns, scales, chord progressions, triads and inversions, four-note chords, and arpeggios
Repertoire: Performance of pieces representing the major musical periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th/21st Century). At least two pieces must be performed from memory at each level.
Refer to the 2014 AIM Syllabus for specific curriculum requirements and repertoire lists.
For full procedural information, see the 2025-26 AIM Packet.
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The Level 12 Exam follows the same format and evaluation criteria as Levels 3-11, but is divided into three parts:
1) Theory Exam
Administered in January or February, along with Levels 3-11, on one of the designated AIM Theory Exam dates.
2) Technique Exam
Completed in the same calendar year as the Theory Exam. Students are required to perform the Technique exam in-person, along with Levels 3-11, on one of the designated AIM Performance Exam dates.
3) Repertoire Exam
Teachers/students may request evaluation in one of the following formats:
IN PERSON PRIVATE EXAM: One-on-one exam with a judge
IN PERSON RECITAL: A public recital attended by the judge
REMOTE OPTION: Pre-recorded videos of the repertoire performances
The Repertoire Exam may be performed or submitted any time before December 31st of the same year the Theory and Technique exams were completed.
Students have the option of a one-year extension (Jan-Dec of the following year) to complete the Repertoire exam.
Refer to the 2014 AIM Syllabus for specific curriculum requirements and repertoire lists.
For full procedural information, see the 2025-26 AIM Packet.
2025-26 AIM Exam Dates & Deadlines
AIM Performance Exams (Levels 3-12)
Who: Levels 3–11, 10T, 11T, 12T
- Exam Dates
- Sundays, April 19 & April 26, 2026
- Exam Periods
- 8:00a–1:00p; 1:00p–6:00p
- Registration Period
- March 16–30, 2026
- Judges Meeting
- Monday, March 16, 2026 at 9:30a
Music Institute of Chicago, Lake Forest (40 E Old Mill Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045)
Northwestern Music Academy (1818 Hinman Ave, Evanston, IL 60201)
Deadline: Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Video Evaluation Period: April 22–26, 2026
Deadline: Submit anytime before December 31, 2026
Deadline w/Extension: Submit anytime between Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2027
AIM Packet & Teacher Information
The AIM Packet contains all information about how AIM Exams are conducted at NSMTA, including:
Dates, fees, locations
Volunteer expectations and judging/scoring standards
Registration procedures & scheduling details
AIM Award information
Detailed Level 12 Exam information
Click the buttons to view the full packet or explore by level section.
AIM Exam Registration Instructions
Register for AIM Exams via the NSMTA Member Portal.
First: check that your Account Settings and Student Roster are up-to-date.
When registration opens, log in to the Member Portal and click on the Active Event name.
Complete the registration form for each student.
Check out of your payment cart before the registration deadline.
The Member Portal is where you can view students schedules and scores as they are released.
Join or renew membership to NSMTA by October 31st to be eligible for participation in AIM Exams.
AIM Resources