Achievement in Music (AIM) Piano Exams
AIM is a comprehensive and leveled curriculum written by the Illinois State Music Teachers' Association. This is a non-competitive event designed to allow students of all levels to achieve success in piano. Students are evaluated by a judge (another NSMTA teacher) and receive a score and written feedback.
NEW TO AIM? GET STARTED.
Read the AIM Exam Overview on our website.
Read the AIM Packet - the comprehensive guide to NSMTA AIM Exams.
Familiarize yourself with the curriculum: Go to the ISMTA Shop to purchase the 2014 AIM Piano Syllabus and corresponding student workbooks.
Even more information! View our introductory slide shows: AIM Orientation and AIM Packet Overview.
NSMTA AIM Coordinators:
Lake Forest Area: Jennifer Cohen
Northwestern Area: Jia-Yee Tang
2024 AIM Exam Dates and Locations
Click the + to expand the section.
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Because NSMTA spans such a large geographic area of the Chicago North Shore, AIM Theory and Performance Exams for Levels 3-12 are split into two locations. Teachers may choose to associate with the exam site that is closest to their teaching location. Each teacher must be associated with and must register all of their students for both Theory and Performance exams at one exam site.
LAKE FOREST AREA:
Music Institute of Chicago, Lake Forest
40 E Old Mill Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045
Coordinator: Jennifer Cohen
NORTHWESTERN AREA
Northwestern University Music Academy
1818 Hinman Ave, Evanston, IL 60201
Coordinator: Jia-Yee Tang
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In Person Exam Dates:
Sunday, April 21, 2024 (at NU location only)
Sunday, April 28, 2023 (at both NU and LF locations)
For In Person Students:
Remote Exams Video Submission Deadline: Sunday, April 21, 2024 (at 11:59pm)
For Remote Students:
REMOTE STUDENT INFO SHEET + SUBMISSION & RECORDING GUIDELINES
AIM Performance Judges Meeting: Monday, March 11, 2024
TEACHERS - See Member Portal for recordings of the meeting and Mock Judging Instructions.
Registration Dates: March 11 - March 25, 2024
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In Person Exam Dates:
Sunday, January 21, 2024 (at NU location only)
Sunday, January 28, 2024 (at both NU and LF locations)
Remote Exam Date: Sunday, January 28, 2024
Theory Judges Meeting (mandatory): Monday, December 4, 2023
Registration Dates: December 4 - December 18, 2023
Exam Fees:
Levels 3-8: $30
Levels 9-12: $40
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Exam Date (in-person ONLY): Sunday, March 3, 2024
Exam Periods: 10:00am - 1:00pm, 1:00 pm - 4:00pm
In Person Location: Music Institute of Chicago, Winnetka: 300 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka, IL 60093
Registration Dates: February 5 - February 19, 2024
Exam Fees (Levels 1-2): $20
Coordinator: Jia-Yee Tang
AIM Levels 1-2 Information:
AIM Level 1-2 Exam event has its own registration period and location separate from Level 3-12 Theory and Performance exams.
Level 1-2 students take their entire exam (Theory and Performance) on one day.
Remote option for Levels 1-2 is no longer offered.
Teachers may enter students in Levels 1-2 even if they didn’t enter students in Level 3-12 Theory and Performance exams.
Click HERE for the AIM Level 1-2 Exam Student Information sheet (also attached to the schedule emails that went out to all participating students).
AIM Exam Registration
Registration for AIM Performance Exams (Levels 3-12) is open from March 11 - March 25, 2024 (at 11:59pm).
Registration for AIM Exams takes place via the NSMTA Member Portal. Be sure the information in your Account Settings and Student Roster are up-to-date.
On the first day of registration, log in to the Member Portal and click on the Active Event you wish to register for. Complete the registration form for each student and check out of your payment cart before the registration deadline.
The Member Portal is where you will be able to 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.
2023-24 AIM Packet
The AIM Packet is your go-to source for logistical information about AIM Exams run by NSMTA.
Read the packet for answers to FAQ including:
AIM Exam Dates
Fees
Exam Locations
Judging Expectations
Registration Dates
Registration Requirements
AIM Exam music policies
Scoring Updates
AIM Awards
Level 12 Exams
Refer to the 2014 ISMTA Syllabus for level-specific curriculum.
AIM Student Resources
Questions about AIM?
Fill out the form to contact the AIM Chair, Jennifer Cohen, for any questions about AIM Exams with NSMTA.