A method for calculating a discrimination criteria for programming into a test meter for distinguishing between a blood sample and an aqueous non-blood sample, the method comprising: a) calculating a first reference value and a second reference value for a plurality of aqueous non-blood samples wherein the first reference value is calculated by: i) applying a first test potential between first and second electrodes of an electrochemical cell into which a sample is introduced; ii) measuring a first current transient, and iii) summing at least two current values measured during the first test potential to generate the first reference value; iv) wherein the second reference value is calculated by: i) applying a second test potential between the first and second electrodes of the electrochemical cell, the second test potential being sufficient to oxidize a reduced mediator at the second electrode, ii) measuring a second current transient, iii) applying a third test potential between the first and second electrodes of the electrochemical cell, the third test potential being sufficient to oxidize a reduced mediator at the first electrode, and iv) measuring a third current transient, wherein the second reference value is based on a ratio of the second current transient to the third current transient; b) calculating a third reference value based on the first reference value multiplied by a capacitance index, wherein the capacitance index comprises a ratio of an average capacitance of electrochemical cells of the same type and a measured capacitance of the electrochemical cell; and c) calculating a discrimination criteria based on the second reference value and the third reference value for the plurality of aqueous non-blood samples. a) calculating a first reference value and a second reference value for a plurality of aqueous non-blood samples wherein the first reference value is calculated by: i) applying a first test potential between first and second electrodes of an electrochemical cell into which a sample is introduced; ii) measuring a first current transient, and iii) summing at least two current values measured during the first test potential to generate the first reference value; iv) wherein the second reference value is calculated by: i) applying a second test potential between the first and second electrodes of the electrochemical cell, the second test potential being sufficient to oxidize a reduced mediator at the second electrode, ii) measuring a second current transient, iii) applying a third test potential between the first and second electrodes of the electrochemical cell, the third test potential being sufficient to oxidize a reduced mediator at the first electrode, and iv) measuring a third current transient, wherein the second reference value is based on a ratio of the second current transient to the third current transient; i) applying a first test potential between first and second electrodes of an electrochemical cell into which a sample is introduced; ii) measuring a first current transient, and iii) summing at least two current values measured during the first test potential to generate the first reference value; iv) wherein the second reference value is calculated by: i) applying a second test potential between the first and second electrodes of the electrochemical cell, the second test potential being sufficient to oxidize a reduced mediator at the second electrode, ii) measuring a second current transient, iii) applying a third test potential between the first and second electrodes of the electrochemical cell, the third test potential being sufficient to oxidize a reduced mediator at the first electrode, and iv) measuring a third current transient, wherein the second reference value is based on a ratio of the second current transient to the third current transient; i) applying a second test potential between the first and second electrodes of the electrochemical cell, the second test potential being sufficient to oxidize a reduced mediator at the second electrode, ii) measuring a second current transient, iii) applying a third test potential between the first and second electrodes of the electrochemical cell, the third test potential being sufficient to oxidize a reduced mediator at the first electrode, and iv) measuring a third current transient, wherein the second reference value is based on a ratio of the second current transient to the third current transient; b) calculating a third reference value based on the first reference value multiplied by a capacitance index, wherein the capacitance index comprises a ratio of an average capacitance of electrochemical cells of the same type and a measured capacitance of the electrochemical cell; and c) calculating a discrimination criteria based on the second reference value and the third reference value for the plurality of aqueous non-blood samples.