Achievement in Music (AIM) Piano Exams
The Achievement in Music (AIM) program is a statewide assessment program developed by the Illinois State Music Teachers Association (ISMTA). The 12-level curriculum fosters well-rounded musicianship through Theory and Performance exams in a non-competitive setting. Students progress through one level each year, receiving 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
2026-27 AIM Exam Dates & Deadlines
AIM LEVELS 1-2 EXAMS
Levels: 1A, 1B, 1C & 2
Exam Date: March 7, 2027
Registration: February 8–19, 2027
Location: TBA
AIM THEORY EXAMS
Levels: 3–12
Exam Dates: January 24 & 31, 2027
Registration Period: December 7–21, 2026
Locations:
Music Institute of Chicago, Lake Forest
Northwestern Music Academy, Evanston
AIM PERFORMANCE EXAMS
Levels: 3–11, 10T, 11T & 12T
Exam Dates: April 25 & May 2, 2027
Registration Period: March 15–April 5, 2027
Locations: same as Theory
Repertoire/Video Deadlines
Levels 10R & 11R: April 25, 2027
Level 12R: December 31, 2027
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)
More AIM Resources:
Sproutbeat: Online music games specifically tailored to the AIM curriculum!
Music Study Sheets by Le Ann Halvorson. Website: Music Perceptions
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Read the AIM Exam Overview for judging requirements, locations, fees, makeup policy, scoring guidelines, and awards.
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AIM Levels 1A, 1B, 1C and 2 exams are administered on the first Sunday in March. Students will take the entire exam (Theory and Performance) on this day.
The following components are assessed:
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)
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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).
The following components are assessed:
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
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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).
The following components are assessed:
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.
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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. (See AIM Theory Exams)
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 Exam: One-on-one exam with a judge
Recital: A public recital attended by the judge
Video Submission: Student submits recordings 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 may request a one-year extension (Jan-Dec of the following year) to complete the Repertoire exam.
Looking for everything in one place?
The complete AIM Packet includes exam information, policies, dates, procedures, and Level 12 requirements.
How to Register for AIM Exams
Register for AIM Exams via the NSMTA Member Portal.
When registration opens, log in to the Member Portal.
Review your Account Settings and confirm your Student Roster.
Select Events → AIM Theory Exams
Complete the registration form for each student.
Complete payment through the Payment Cart.
Student schedules and scores will be available in the Member Portal.
NSMTA membership must be current by October 31st to participate in AIM Exams.
AIM Resources
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Online Aural Skills Player
Practice using the online Aural Skills Player to take the Sample Aural Skills Test from the 2014 AIM Piano Syllabus.
Use Access Code 123-456-789 and enter the level.Test pages from the syllabus may be provided by the teacher.
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AIM Registration Guides
Use the guide to familiarize yourself with the AIM registration process. Includes a preview of the registration form for each exam.
To help you collect and organize student information ahead of time, go directly to the AIM Exam Student Information Template.
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AIM Level 12 Repertoire Approval Form
Use this form to request approval of your student’s Level 12 Repertoire program from the ISMTA State AIM Repertoire Coordinator, Jennifer Cohen.
Approval must be obtained 5 months prior to the repertoire exam and no later than March 31.
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AIM Video Recording & Submission Guidelines
Recording and submission requirements for Levels 10R, 11R and 12 repertoire exams.
