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 (NOW AVAILABLE!)
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:
Lake Forest Area: Jennifer Cohen, LFaim@nsmta.org
Northwestern Area: Jia-Yee Tang, NUaim@nsmta.org
2024-25 AIM Packet - NOW AVAILABLE!
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.
2024-25 AIM EXAM DATES
A summary of AIM dates and locations is provided here. For more information, read the AIM Packet.
AIM LEVELS 1-2 EXAMS
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.
EXAM LOCATIONS
Because NSMTA spans such a large geographic area of the Chicago North Shore, AIM Exams for Levels 3-11 are offered at two locations:
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
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.
AIM THEORY EXAMS (LEVELS 3-12)
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
The Mock Judging requirement must be completed prior to starting registration. To avoid any delay in registration, we advise you to complete this at your earliest convenience.
To complete this, watch the recording of the AIM Theory Judges Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL4eJ-NSZUg
Follow along with the Mock Judging in the video using:
Printout: 2024 Keyboard Skills Mock Judging File
Google Form to enter your scores (instead of the Zoom Poll): Mock Judging Google Form
As soon as your Mock Judging scores are submitted on the Google Form, you will be marked "complete". You will then be able to proceed with AIM Theory Registration in the portal.
Those who attended the meeting have already fulfilled the requirement and will be marked "complete" immediately after submitting the Volunteer Form.
AIM PERFORMANCE EXAMS (LEVELS 3-11)
NEW: the remote Performance exam for Levels 3-9 has been eliminated. All students at these levels will be required to take their exam in-person.
Level 10-11 students may choose to a) take their entire Performance exam in-person OR b) take the Technique exam in-person and submit 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)
AIM LEVEL 12 PERFORMANCE EXAM DATES
Technique Exam: In-person on Sunday, April 27 or Sunday, May 4, 2025
Repertoire Exam:
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.
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).
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
Questions about AIM?
Fill out the form to contact the AIM Chair, Jennifer Cohen, for any questions about AIM Exams with NSMTA.