A test strip for measuring glucose in a blood sample, said test strip comprising: a first insulating sheet, said first insulating sheet having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being narrower than said distal end; at least four electrodes disposed on said first insulating sheet, said at least four electrodes including a working electrode, a counter electrode, a fill-detect anode, and a fill-detect cathode; a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on said first insulating sheet, said plurality of electrical contacts including a working electrode contact, a counter electrode contact, a fill-detect anode contact, and a fill-detect cathode contact; a plurality of conductive traces (40, 42, 44, 46) disposed on said first insulating sheet, said plurality of conductive traces (40, 42, 44, 46) electrically connecting said working electrode to said working electrode contact, said counter electrode to said counter electrode contact, said fill-detect anode to said fill-detect anode contact, said fill-detect cathode to said fill-detect cathode contact; an auto-on conductor disposed on said first insulating sheet; a first dielectric layer disposed on said first insulating sheet, said first dielectric layer covering portions of said working electrode and said counter electrode, so as to define an exposed working electrode portion and exposed counter electrode portions (56, 58); a second dielectric layer disposed on said first dielectric layer, said second dielectric layer having a slot, said working electrode, said counter electrode, said fill-detect anode, and said fill-detect cathode being disposed in said slot, said slot having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of said slot being aligned with said proximal end of said first insulating sheet; a reagent layer disposed in said slot, said reagent layer including glucose oxidase and a mediator; an adhesive layer disposed on said second dielectric layer, said adhesive layer having a break therein extending from said distal end of said slot to an opening; and a second insulating sheet attached to said second dielectric layer via said adhesive layer, said second insulating sheet covering said slot except for said distal end of said slot, wherein said slot defines a sample chamber in said test strip and said break in said adhesive layer at said distal end of said slot vents said sample chamber, said slot being dimensioned to draw said blood sample in through said proximal end of said slot by capillary action. a first insulating sheet, said first insulating sheet having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being narrower than said distal end; at least four electrodes disposed on said first insulating sheet, said at least four electrodes including a working electrode, a counter electrode, a fill-detect anode, and a fill-detect cathode; a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on said first insulating sheet, said plurality of electrical contacts including a working electrode contact, a counter electrode contact, a fill-detect anode contact, and a fill-detect cathode contact; a plurality of conductive traces (40, 42, 44, 46) disposed on said first insulating sheet, said plurality of conductive traces (40, 42, 44, 46) electrically connecting said working electrode to said working electrode contact, said counter electrode to said counter electrode contact, said fill-detect anode to said fill-detect anode contact, said fill-detect cathode to said fill-detect cathode contact; an auto-on conductor disposed on said first insulating sheet; a first dielectric layer disposed on said first insulating sheet, said first dielectric layer covering portions of said working electrode and said counter electrode, so as to define an exposed working electrode portion and exposed counter electrode portions (56, 58); a second dielectric layer disposed on said first dielectric layer, said second dielectric layer having a slot, said working electrode, said counter electrode, said fill-detect anode, and said fill-detect cathode being disposed in said slot, said slot having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of said slot being aligned with said proximal end of said first insulating sheet; a reagent layer disposed in said slot, said reagent layer including glucose oxidase and a mediator; an adhesive layer disposed on said second dielectric layer, said adhesive layer having a break therein extending from said distal end of said slot to an opening; and a second insulating sheet attached to said second dielectric layer via said adhesive layer, said second insulating sheet covering said slot except for said distal end of said slot, wherein said slot defines a sample chamber in said test strip and said break in said adhesive layer at said distal end of said slot vents said sample chamber, said slot being dimensioned to draw said blood sample in through said proximal end of said slot by capillary action.