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 (from 10/28 meeting).

NSMTA AIM Coordinators:

2024-25 AIM Packet

The AIM Packet is your go-to source for 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.

EXAM LOCATIONS FOR LEVELS 3-12

Because NSMTA spans such a large geographic area of the Chicago North Shore, AIM Exams for Levels 3-12 are offered at two locations.

Teachers must 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

2024 AIM EXAM DATES

A summary of AIM dates and locations is provided here. Click the + to expand the section. More details are available in the AIM Packet.

  • Exam Location: Music Institute of Chicago, Winnetka (300 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka, IL 60093)

    Exam Date: Sunday, March 9, 2025

    Registration Dates: Monday, February 10 - Friday, February 21, 2025 (at 11:59pm)

    NEW: Judges Meeting video will be available for viewing, TBD

    Details:

    • Level 1-2 students take their entire exam (Theory and Performance) on one day.

    • Teachers may enter students in Levels 1-2 even if they don’t enter students in Level 3-12 Theory and Performance exams.

  • New for 2024-25: the remote Theory exam has been eliminated. In-person Theory exams will be offered on both dates at both locations.

    Exam Dates:

    • Sunday, January 26, 2025

    • Sunday, February 2, 2025

    Registration Dates: December 2 - December 16 (at 11:59p)

    Mandatory Theory Judges Meeting: Monday, December 2, 2024 at 9:30a

  • NEW for 2024-25

    • Levels 3-9 students no longer have the remote option and must play their Performance exam live in-person.

    • Level 10-11 students can still choose between a) taking the entire Performance exam in-person OR b) taking only the Technique exam in-person (required) and then submiting video recordings of the repertoire.

    In Person Exam Dates:

    • Sunday, April 27, 2025

    • Sunday, May 4, 2025

    Repertoire Video Submission Deadline (Levels 10-11 ONLY): Sunday, April 27, 2025 (at 11:59pm)

    Mandatory AIM Performance Judges Meeting: Monday, March 10, 2025

    Registration Dates: Monday, March 10 - Monday, March 31, 2025 (at 11:59pm)

  • Technique Exam: In-person on Sunday, April 27 or Sunday, May 4, 2025

    Repertoire Exam:

    Repertoire Exam may be completed anytime between May 4 - December 31, 2025. One year extension granted for those who wish to complete anytime in 2026 ($20 re-registration fee applies).

    Level 12 Repertoire Approval:

    Level 12 Program approval must be obtained by the State Repertoire Chair by March 31, 2025. You will not be able to register for the Technique exam without a signed approval form. Download the form HERE.

    See AIM Packet (pages 22-23) for complete Level 12 exam information.

AIM Exam Registration

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 Student Resources

  • AIM Level 12 Repertoire Approval Form

    For students submitting their Level 12 Repeirtoire to Stephanie Myers for approval. Please review page 10 of the NSMTA AIM packet for detailed instructions about the Level 12 exam.

    Download the Level 12 Repertoire Approval Form

  • Online Aural Skills Player

    Practice using the online aural skills player to prepare for your Theory Exam! Use Access Code 123-456-789 and enter your level to take the Sample Aural Skills Test from the 2014 Syllabus.

    Try the Player

  • Remote Performance Exam Submission Instructions

    Written instructions for submitting your Remote AIM Performance exam, including Technique and Repertoire recording guidelines.

    Remote Performance Exam Guidelines

  • AIM Video Tutorials

    For help with AIM Performance video submissions, watch one of our customized video tutorials. Learn how to use YouTube Playlists and Google Drive Music Folders.

    Go to Video Tutorials Page

Questions about AIM?

Fill out the form to contact the AIM Chair, Jennifer Cohen, for any questions about AIM Exams with NSMTA.