I appreciat the feedback.  This unfortunately did not get it done.  I am trying to apply for a job and only have a base understanding of this.  I've managed to set up a custom object and add several custom fields, record types, layouts etc per the sketchy instructions.  The object is Candidate Test and the "test" for the candidate,ie ME, is to be able to navigate this test scenario where I am setting up the object "Candidate Test" which has fields like a number field which allows 1-4 number of references.  The next instruction is to Create a summary field that counts the number of references, name this "Total References".  Next Create a new section on the contact Layour named "Candidate Summary" and add the "total references" to this section. It doesn't say anything about creating a separate object etc to make the summary field.  I know this probably does need to happen I believe that is the test is to show that you know that this has to happen to accomplish that.  When I make the new object called " Child Object" I then go to create the roll up field on teh Master object and it doesn't give me the Field to Aggregate in the drop down for the SUM function.  I obviously did something wrong with the field on the new child object right?