Achievement Day

Event date: Decided by each Local Association
Location: Decided by Local Associations
Application deadline: Determined by Local Associations
State Chair: Amy Watt

Achievement Day is a non-competitive student event run by CSMTA local associations in Colorado, following guidelines created at the state level. Statewide each year, well over 1000 students are involved with their local Achievement Day event. Each student performs privately for a listener who evaluates the level of certificate to be earned. Guidelines for certificate levels and music-related options, including written and aural tests, are found in the CSMTA Student Achievement Day Comprehensive Guidelines. These guidelines also explain how students may receive the status of “Super Achiever” by completing additional requirements. Local Associations may offer additional unique programs during these events including: master classes, project displays, games, T-shirt design, recitals, scavenger hunts, music technology labs, and more!

Documents, practice tests and guidelines

For FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION scroll down.

For actual tests and certificates, please click here (restricted access)

The practice tests are almost identical to the actual tests your students will take during the event.

Important Terms of Use and License information

The CSMTA Achievement Day Guidelines, Documents and Practice Materials by CSMTA is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Based on a work at http://comusicteachers.net/

Under this License:
You are free to: Share — to copy, distribute and transmit the work
Under the following conditions:

Attribution — You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work).    
Noncommercial — You may not use this work for commercial purposes.
No Derivative Works — You may not alter, transform, or build upon this work.

Comprehensive guidelines

Comprehensive guidelines contain a description, resources and guidelines for the whole event

Option B.1. Theory PRACTICE tests and answer sheets

Theory practice tests. Set no. 1 (Grand staff)	Answer sheet for practice set no. 1 (Grand staff)
Theory practice tests. Set no. 2 (Grand staff)	Answer sheet for practice set no. 2 (Grand staff)
Theory practice tests. Set no. 3 (Grand staff)	Answer sheet for practice set no. 3 (Grand staff)

Theory practice tests. Set no.1 (Treble clef)	Answer sheet for practice set no. 1 (Treble clef)
Theory practice tests. Set no. 2 (Treble clef)	Answer sheet for practice set no. 2 (Treble clef)

Theory practice tests. Set no.1 (Bass clef)	Answer sheet for practice set no. 1 (Bass clef)
Theory practice tests. Set no. 2 (Bass clef)	Answer sheet for practice set no. 2 (Bass clef)

Option B.2. Terms and Signs PRACTICE tests and answer sheets

T&S practice tests. Set no. 1 (Grand staff)	Answer sheet for practice set no. 1 (Grand staff)
T&S practice tests. Set no. 2 (Grand staff)	Answer sheet for practice set no. 2 (Grand staff)
T&S practice tests. Set no. 3 (Grand staff)	Answer sheet for practice set no. 3 (Grand staff)

T&S practice tests. Set no.1 (Treble clef)	Answer sheet for practice set no. 1 (Treble clef)
T&S practice tests. Set no. 2 (Treble clef)	Answer sheet for practice set no. 2 (Treble clef)

T&S practice tests. Set no.1 (Bass clef)	Answer sheet for practice set no. 1 (Bass clef)
T&S practice tests. Set no. 2 (Bass clef)	Answer sheet for practice set no. 2 (Bass clef)

Option B.3. Ear Training PRACTICE tests

Ear training practice set 1 (levels 1 to 12)	Answer sheet for practice set no. 1
Ear training listening videos for SET 1 (all levels)
Ear training practice set 2 (l. 1 to 12)	Answer sheet for practice set 2
Ear training practice set 3 (l. 1 to 12)	Answer sheet for practice set 3

Option B.4. History PRACTICE tests and study guide

History practice tests. Set no. 1	Answer sheet set no. 1	Sound files for set 1
History practice tests. Set no. 2	Answer sheet set no. 2	Sound files for set 2
History practice tests. Set no. 3	Answer sheet set no. 3	Sound files for set 3
Study guide	Video playlists for listening quizzes

For actual tests and certificates, please click here

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Achievement Day?

Achievement Day is a non-competitive student event run by Local Associations in Colorado, following guidelines created at the State level. Most Local Associations in Colorado offer Achievement Day at different times of the year.

During Achievement Day, students are asked to perform two pieces in front of an adjudicator who writes comments. Additionally, students are required to complete a minimum of two additional "options." Options include theory, signs & terms, history, scales, arpeggios, chords, sight-reading, written projects, art projects, etc.

Participating students receive a Certificate of Completion signed by the CSMTA President.

How do I use this website?

Start by downloading and printing the Comprehensive Guidelines. They contain a description of Achivement Day, its rules, and complete tables describing the contents of each option
Using the Comprehensive Guidelines, determine the repertoire level of your students, and the options your students want to complete
If your students' options contain levels, use the tables in the Comprehensive Guidelines to determine their levels
If your students' options include Theory, Signs & Terms or History, you may want to download and print one of the practice test sets below, and their answer keys. You may use these practice tests as you wish, and you may photocopy them for your students.

Where and when is Achievement Day offered?

The Achievement Day event is offered and run by Local Associations following State guidelines. Contact your Local Association for information on date, deadlines, fees and other requirements.

What are the deadlines and fees for Achievement Day?

Contact your Local Association for information on dates, deadlines, fees and other requirements

Who can enter students in Achievement Day?

Anyone! If your Local Association offers A-Day, contact them for information. If your Local Association does not offer Achievement Day or if you are not a CSMTA members, contact another Local Association to find out if they allow non-members to participate.

What instruments are allowed in Achievement Day?

All instruments and voice are welcome to participate. The 2012 revisions contain theory and signs & terms tests for grand staff, and treble clef instruments.

How do I prepare my students for Achievement Day?

Download the Comprehensive Guidelines (link below) first. This document contains a detailed description of the event and all the options. This document will help you choose the right options for your students, and determine their level.

After choosing options and determining levels, if you want your students to do the theory, signs & terms or history options, you need to download one of the practice test sets (links below) and the answer sheets. You are free to use those practice tests however you want, and to photocopy them for all your students.

Can I see the actual theory or history tests that my students will take?

The actual tests given during the event are very similar to the practice tests available below. The actual tests are not publicly available.

Do the repertoire levels need to correspond to the option levels?

No. Students are free to enter in one level of repertoire, and a completely different level for the options. Options levels do not themselves need to correspond to each other.

Can students enter at the same level several times?

Yes, students can enter at the same level as many times as they want.

Can students or parents access the guidelines and practice tests?

Absolutely. These tests are open to the public.

For details on the terms of use of these tests see the following:

The CSMTA Achievement Day Guidelines, Documents and Practice Materials by CSMTA is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at http://comusicteachers.com.

You are free: Share — to copy, distribute and transmit the work

Under the following conditions:

Attribution — You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work).    
Noncommercial — You may not use this work for commercial purposes.
No Derivative Works — You may not alter, transform, or build upon this work.

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