Achievement in Music (AIM)
The Achievement in Music (AIM) Program, which is sponsored by the Illinois State Music Teachers Association, is a comprehensive theory and performance curriculum comprised of 14 levels of achievement for piano students. The local associations are in charge of administering the exams in their areas. Over 3000 students from Illinois, as well as several other states, participate in these exams each year. Separate AIM programs have also been written for voice and strings.
NOTE: Examples of aural skills to be used with the sample aural skills test at each level in the Syllabus may be found at https://auralskillsplayer.weebly.com/
*Send checks to *names
January Exam: Sunday, January 25, 2026
Registration Deadline: December 14, 2025
AIM Levels 3-12 Theory Exams
Fees: $40 for levels 3-12 (covers theory and performance exam)
Chair: Helen Chang*
NOTE: Online Registration for the March and April Performance exams will be open after the January Theory exam scores are available.
March Exam: Sunday, March 15, 2026
Registration Deadline: February 15, 2026
AIM Levels 3-9 Performance Exams
Fees: $20 Re-Enrollment Fee for Performance only if Theory Exam was passed in a previous year
Co-Chairs: Vonnie Mrozinski*: [email protected]
Helen Grosshans: [email protected]
April Exam: Sunday, April 12, 2026
Registration Deadline: March 12, 2026
Level 12 Recitals: By July 31, 2025
AIM Levels 1-2 Complete and Levels 10-12 Performance Exams
Fees: $30 for levels 1 and 2. (Levels 10-12 fee was collected during the Theory exam)
Chair: Brenda Haynes*: [email protected]
REPERTOIRE APPROVAL (https://ismta.org/aim/).
For all levels, a repertoire substitution request to include any piece not found in the Syllabus must be made by January 15 midnight to Stephanie Myers ([email protected]).
Program approval by Stephanie Myers ([email protected]) is required for ALL Level 12 students 5 months before the exam/performance. Go to https://ismta.org/aim/ to download Level 12 Program Approval Submission Form.
Level 12 Recitals must be scheduled for dates before July 31 and an extra $25 recital fee is applied.
- General Information
- AIM Dates 2025-2026
- AIM Parent Letter
- AIM Awards from NWSMTA and ISMTA
- AIM Checklist for Levels 1 and 2 Complete (Theory and Performance)
- AIM Checklist for Levels 3 -12 Theory exam
- AIM Checklist for Levels 3 - 9 Performance exam
- CODA Online Piano Repertoire Search (Login required)
- OPERA ONLINE ENROLLMENT for all exams
NOTE: Examples of aural skills to be used with the sample aural skills test at each level in the Syllabus may be found at https://auralskillsplayer.weebly.com/
*Send checks to *names
January Exam: Sunday, January 25, 2026
Registration Deadline: December 14, 2025
AIM Levels 3-12 Theory Exams
Fees: $40 for levels 3-12 (covers theory and performance exam)
Chair: Helen Chang*
NOTE: Online Registration for the March and April Performance exams will be open after the January Theory exam scores are available.
March Exam: Sunday, March 15, 2026
Registration Deadline: February 15, 2026
AIM Levels 3-9 Performance Exams
Fees: $20 Re-Enrollment Fee for Performance only if Theory Exam was passed in a previous year
Co-Chairs: Vonnie Mrozinski*: [email protected]
Helen Grosshans: [email protected]
April Exam: Sunday, April 12, 2026
Registration Deadline: March 12, 2026
Level 12 Recitals: By July 31, 2025
AIM Levels 1-2 Complete and Levels 10-12 Performance Exams
Fees: $30 for levels 1 and 2. (Levels 10-12 fee was collected during the Theory exam)
Chair: Brenda Haynes*: [email protected]
REPERTOIRE APPROVAL (https://ismta.org/aim/).
For all levels, a repertoire substitution request to include any piece not found in the Syllabus must be made by January 15 midnight to Stephanie Myers ([email protected]).
Program approval by Stephanie Myers ([email protected]) is required for ALL Level 12 students 5 months before the exam/performance. Go to https://ismta.org/aim/ to download Level 12 Program Approval Submission Form.
Level 12 Recitals must be scheduled for dates before July 31 and an extra $25 recital fee is applied.