Student Achievement Testing (SAT)

The Student Achievement Test (SAT) is an opportunity for students provided by the Michigan Music Teachers Association (MMTA) and its local chapters. The program promotes comprehensive musicianship, helping students and teachers to set goals and measure progress across their years of study. It is available to Michigan students K through 12 studying with an MMTA member teacher.

The SAT consists of five major parts:

Students can enter at any level from Level 1A to Level 12. All five (5) modules are taken at the same level.

1

Performance

Three (3) pieces representing the student’s level and ability, chosen by the teacher and student

2

Theory

 

A written exam, including note writing, rhythm, and a short music excerpt analysis

3

Sight-reading

 

A short music excerpt is played by the student.  Transposition and harmonizing are also included

4

Technique

 

An assessment of piano skills including scales, arpeggios, intervals, and rhythm

 

5

Aural Skills

 

A listening exam consisting of intervals, modes, and rhythm. 

Announcement!

For SAT Day 2026, the Ann Arbor Area Piano Teachers Guild will partner with the Livonia Area Piano Teachers Forum (LAPTF) to administer the assessment at Eastern Michigan University.  We are excited to work with our Livonia colleagues!  See below for details.   

 

2026 SAT Information

    • Levels 1- 6 will be administered at Eastern Michigan University (Alexander Music Building, Ypsilanti 48197) on March 7, 2026
    • Levels 7-12 will be administered at Eastern Michigan University on March 8, 2026
    • Registration fees: $50

The Performance, Aural Awareness, and Technique portions will all take place in person.  Students must bring their completed Theory tests to their testing site in order to perform.

  • Registration Deadline: TBD (early January 2026)
  • For information on the SAT Handbook (2018 edition) please click here.
  • Teachers and students may opt to continue their performance experience by participating in the Eastern District Semi-finals.  Please refer to the SAT Handbook for level, age, and SAT scoring requirements.  

Please note the following changes for 2026:

1. For levels 1-12 of the technique test: the removal of all required articulations, dynamics and two note slurs (when applicable). All other bullet points will remain for easier administration of the test. Abbreviations HS/HT, BR/BL will be typed out as Hands Separately, Hands Together, Broken and Blocked.

2. For levels 1-12 of the Aural Awareness Test: the test will no longer include a melody playback. The rest of the Aural Awareness Test will be in the same format with a different distribution of the current 10 points.

3. For levels 6-12 of the Performance requirements: the Impressionistic period will be combined with the Romantic Period. The handbook currently has the Impressionistic period combined with the Twentieth and Twenty-First Century. Students at level 11 will be required to play a piece from the Romantic or Impressionistic Period. Students at level 12 will be required to play a piece from the Twentieth or Twenty First Century.

4. For levels 1A, 1B and 2: the theory test will include larger staves for easier writing. This may increase pages and printing but it will not affect the length of the test.

 

For a printable SAT digital release form (to authorize legally downloaded sheet music), click here.