The AIM examinations are designed to enhance musicianship, foster creativity, provide an independent evaluation of student progress, develop performance confidence, and motivate student achievement in music.  Students receive written comments from an adjudicator.  Pins are awarded for successful completion of the Theory Examination.  Certificates are awarded for the successful mastery of all the requirements of an AIM Level.  Students who successfully complete the highest level of AIM are well-prepared for the college audition process and do well on college written and aural theory placement tests.

The AIM examinations are divided by level and content.  Specific technique, theory, and repertoire requirements are outlined for each level in the Achievement in Music Syllabus.

AIM Level 1A, 1B, 1C, and Level 2 Examinations are designed for beginning or transfer students.  The requirements include theory, technique, ear training, and performance repertoire in one comprehensive exam.

AIM Theory Examination for Levels 3-12 includes a piano proficiency assessment and  written and aural skills exams.  An adjudicator evaluates sightreading, transposition and harmonization.  Scale, interval, chord quality and chord progression identification and dictation is assessed in the aural skills exam. The written test includes theory fundamentals, terminology, music history, and score analysis. Students receive a merit pin for successful completion of the exam.

AIM Performance Examination for Levels 3-12 provides an annual evaluation of technique and performance skills.  Students receive written comments from an adjudicator.  Students who receive a passing score on both the theory and the performance exam receive a certificate for mastery all of the requirements of the level. 

Annual dates are announced in the NMTA monthly newsletter, listed under the “Calendar of Events” in the membership directory, and posted online at www.napervilleismta.org. 

December -- AIM Theory Examination for Levels 3-12
February -- AIM Level 1A, 1B, 1C, and Level 2 Examination
*March -- AIM Performance Examination for Levels 3-12
*In order to enroll in the Performance Examination held in March, students must successfully complete the Theory Examination administered in December.

The Naperville Area AIM Examinations are held in local music facilities and private studios throughout the community. 

Teachers must purchase the Achievement in Music Syllabus published by ISMTA. The syllabus is available for purchase online at the ISMTA website,  www.ismta.org. Under Product Categories at the bottom of the page, click on AIM Publications.

In the Achievement in Music Syllabus, read the Program Description on pages v-xii. The Program Description provides specific program and examination information.  For an overview of the syllabus, review the sample examinations and judge’s sheets provided for each level.  Carefully study the keyboard, aural, writing, technique, and repertoire requirements before selecting a level for a student. 

The Level 1A, 1B, 1C and Level 2 Examination is a good point of entry for teachers new to AIM.  If your students are more advanced, try entering a few selected students in only one or two levels of the AIM Theory and Performance Examinations.  As these students advance, your familiarity with the AIM Syllabus will increase. 

A student should be entered according to his/her understanding of music theory.  Check the technique requirements to be certain the student may achieve them successfully.  You may also wish to consult with an experienced AIM teacher or an AIM Chairperson for guidance.

In order to enroll in the Performance Examination, a student must successfully pass the Theory Examination at the same level.  If students are unable to prepare for both examinations in the same academic year, he/she may take the Performance Examination the following year.  The student’s certificate is awarded in the year the Performance Examination is completed.

A student must enroll in the Performance Examination at the same level in which he/she successfully completed the AIM Theory Examination.  However, for the Performance Examination, a student may play works selected from the repertoire list of a higher AIM level.  In this case, the student’s certificate is awarded at the lower level of his/her AIM Theory Examination. 

Yes. Students may choose to enroll in only the Theory Examination.  In this case, the student will receive a merit pin for successful completion of the Theory Examination, but a certificate will not be awarded because the performance requirements for the level were not met. 

Yes.  Teachers should carefully evaluate the student’s theory and technique competencies according to the Achievement in Music Syllabus requirements for the level to be skipped before enrolling a student in a higher level. 

It depends upon the ability of the individual student and his/her level.  There are AIM Student Workbooks available at each level to aid in preparation (see AIM Publications).  Some students need to begin preparation for the next AIM level shortly after the student has completed the Performance Examination in March.  Other students begin preparation for the Theory and Performance Examinations during summer lessons.  Students preparing for the Level 1A, 1B, 1C and Level 2 Exam might begin their preparation during the fall term. 

Teachers enrolling students in an AIM Examination are required to assist on the examination day by serving as a judge, monitor, or office assistant.  AIM teachers as well as chapter members are encouraged to assist the AIM Chairpersons in pre-exam organizational tasks as well as on the examination days.

Yes.  Contact an AIM Chairperson listed in the NMTA directory and he/she will connect you with an experienced AIM teacher in your chapter.  AIM informational sessions are offered at the annual ISMTA State Convention, and the ISMTA quarterly newsletter publishes the Dear AIMY column which addresses questions about the AIM curriculum.  Additional AIM information is available at www.ismta.org. 

You will be notified when the student exam times are available on the website. Teachers receive via email a Student Schedule Worksheet to complete for each student to take with him/her to the exam. The worksheet provides exam times, locations and other pertinent information for the student. 

Students should plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early for the examination.  The duration of examination time varies according to level.  Lower level students should allow at least 30 minutes.  Upper level students should allow at least 1 hour. 

The student needs to bring the Student Schedule Worksheet listing his/her exam time and location.  The student must bring the original score for any transposition piece or repertoire piece he/she will be performing.  For any repertoire piece that is not memorized, a student must bring two original copies of the score:  one for the student to use, and one for the adjudicator.  The original scores must have the measures numbered.  

No, makeup exams are not available. All students must be present on an exam day to take the exam.

Members from the NMTA and other ISMTA local associations adjudicate the AIM Examinations.  Adjudicators are experienced AIM teachers, degreed teachers, or state/nationally certified piano teachers.