. >> reporter: as is 4-year-old elaina. >> the hopes for elaina are that she gets every opportunity available. >> reporter: her father is lee berman. >> she's a brilliant child. >> reporter: i mean, all of us think our kids are exceptional. why do you think she's so bright? >> her ability to reason at an early age. the ability to communicate at an early age. >> reporter: but that is not enough. it's all about the test. last year, over 12,000 children took the olsat in new york. 4,000 of them scored in the 90th percentile. 1,000 children scored a 99. but even that doesn't guarantee a seat. remember, there are less than 300 top spots. >> how well they do on this will determine, basically, the rest of their educational career. >> reporter: no pressure there. but look at what they're vying for. it's a kind of dream school called nest plus m. a public school here on manhattan's lower east side. >> you have 30 addition problems. >> reporter: singapore math in the morning. >> on your mark, get set g-- go >> reporter: chinese in the afternoon. once you're in, you're in. all tuition, free. the school