The Achievement in Music (AIM) examinations is a program of the Illinois State Music Teachers Association (ISMTA) based on a syllabus revised in 2014.
Coordinator: Margaret Hoover Theory Chair: Alessandra Odazaki Theory Co-Chairs: Junichi Sato and Erica Tam-Wang Performance Chair: Margaret Hoover Certificates: Margaret Hoover Committee: Kristine Konrad, Hannah Voigt, and Elaine Smith
IMPORTANT DATES AND VENUES
Note: Levels 1a, 1b, 1c, and 2 Theory AND Performance Exams are on the same day (see under PERFORMANCE EXAMS below). Students in Levels 3 through 12 take
Theory and Performance exams on separate dates. NO formal makeup exams will be offered.
THEORY EXAMS (Levels 3 through 12 only)
Registration Open: Friday, September 8, 2023
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2023
Volunteer and Judges’ Meeting: Friday, November 17, 2023, 9:00 to 9:50 a.m.
Exam Date: Saturday, December 2, 2023, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Exam Venue: Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) at Roosevelt University, 430 S Michigan Ave in Chicago
PERFORMANCE EXAMS (Levels 1–12) and THEORY EXAMS (Levels 1a, 1b, 1c, and 2)
Registration Open: Monday, January 1, 2024
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2024
Volunteer and Judges’ Meeting: Friday, February 9, 2024, 9:00 to 9:50 a.m.
Exam Date: Saturday, March 2, 2024
Exam Venue: Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) at Roosevelt University, 430 S Michigan Ave in Chicago
REGISTRATION AND FEES
Levels 1a, 1b, 1c, and 2: $45
Levels 3 through 8: $65
Levels 9 through 12: $70
Additional fees: $45 fine per student per event for teachers unable to volunteer on test day.
FEES CANNOT BE REFUNDED!
See teacher requirements below.
Registration and fee payments must be completed online (see below).
MATERIALS
The 2014 Syllabus and the Karen Rogers Theory Workbooks. To purchase these, go to ismta.org.
REPERTOIRE AND SUBSTITUTIONS
LEVEL 12 Repertoire (from the 2014 syllabus) must be submitted to Stephanie Myers five (5) months prior to the date of your choice of recital or exam.
Level 2–12 Repertoire substitution requests must be submitted to Stephanie Myers by MONDAY,
JANUARY 15, 2024.
The Level 12 approval form and procedures are found on ismta.org under AIM. All Level 12 program requests must use this form.
GRADING
Levels 1a, 1b, 1c, and 2: Students must receive a final score of 70 or higher to pass and receive a certificate.
Levels 3–12: Students must
receive a final score of 70 or higher to pass the theory exam
pass the theory exam before taking the performance exam
receive a final score of 70 or higher to pass the performance exam, and
pass both theory and performance exams to receive a certificate.
Score recommendations:
70–74: Passing
75–79: Fair
80–89: Good
90–94: Excellent
95–100+: With Distinction
AWARDS
Levels 9–12: A plaque personalized with the student’s name is awarded at each level passed with a final score of 80 or higher in both
the theory and performance exams.
Sam Licata Award: $100 to recognize those who complete Level 11 with a minimum score of 85 in both Theory and Performance.
Sister Marjorie Delaplane Award: $150 to recognize those who complete Level 12 with minimum score of 85 in both Theory and Performance.
TEACHER REQUIREMENTS
Attendance at the annual AIM informational meeting on September 8 from 9:00 to 9:50 a.m.—a requirement for
new teachers and important for all AIM teachers to learn more about exam administration for 2023–24.
Attendance at the two volunteer and judges’ meetings on November 17, 2023 and February 9, 2024 from 9:00 to 9:50 a.m.—a requirement for ALL teachers entering students in AIM.
AIM is staffed entirely by volunteer teachers. Therefore, we mandate teachers judge/volunteer 4 hours, OR 30 minutes per enrolled student, whichever is
longer. No exceptions.
If a teacher cannot fulfill his/her volunteer obligations, they will incur a fine of $45 per student entered per exam.
ONLINE REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Please note that we have a system in place called Online Piano Exam Registration Access (OPERA) that allows you to register as well as
view schedules and repertoire. Please refer to the e-mail from the coordinators about how to log in and access the system. The system itself is not run by CAMTA and any
questions about its usage or issues should be directed to them through their Feedback Form.
STEP 1: TEACHER AND STUDENT REGISTRATION
Teachers must first register themselves and their students by going to CAMTA OPERA. Make note of the
amount due so you will know how much to pay in Step 2! Teachers who have not registered previously using CAMTA OPERA will have to first create an account.
STEP 2: PAY ONLINE
Teachers should pay for all of their students with one payment. Applications will be considered incomplete unless payment is made in full. Fees are not
refundable! Pay in one of the following ways (click here to view specific instructions for
each payment method):
a) ONLINE BANKING, which is the preferred payment method for CAMTA since there is no fee for the transaction. Initiate this through your bank’s online system and
send the amount due from Step 1.
Please put AIM and the teacher name in the message field.
or
b) PAYPAL (CAMTA incurs a fee for using this service), which you initiate by clicking on the Donate button below. Once you’re in, please
“donate” the amount due from Step 1. Please look for “add special instructions to the seller” and specify AIM and the
teacher name.