A method of operating a meter, the meter being configured for determining the concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample, the method comprising the acts of: providing a biosensor and a meter; providing a connector in the meter with a plurality of connector contacts (42a, 42b, 42c, 42d); positioning the biosensor in a testing position in the meter, the biosensor including a plurality of leads (38a, 38b, 38c, 38d), each of the plurality of leads (38a, 38b, 38c, 38d) being configured to contact at least one of the plurality of connector contacts (42a, 42b, 42c, 42d) in the meter when the biosensor is in the testing position; applying a first voltage between at least one pair of the plurality of connector contacts via the meter prior to the fluid sample being applied; obtaining a first measurement between the at least one pair of the plurality of connector contacts (42a, 42b, 42c, 42d) via the meter prior to the fluid sample being applied; comparing the first measurement to a first threshold; determining if a short condition exists between the plurality of leads and the plurality of connector contacts based on the comparison of the first measurement and the first threshold; applying a second voltage between at least one pair of the plurality of connector contacts via the meter after the fluid sample is applied; obtaining a second measurement between the at least one pair of the plurality of connector contacts (42a, 42b, 42c, 42d) via the meter after the fluid sample is applied; comparing the second measurement to a second threshold; and determining if an open condition exists between the plurality of leads and the plurality of connector contacts based on the comparison of the second measurement and the second threshold. providing a biosensor and a meter; providing a connector in the meter with a plurality of connector contacts (42a, 42b, 42c, 42d); positioning the biosensor in a testing position in the meter, the biosensor including a plurality of leads (38a, 38b, 38c, 38d), each of the plurality of leads (38a, 38b, 38c, 38d) being configured to contact at least one of the plurality of connector contacts (42a, 42b, 42c, 42d) in the meter when the biosensor is in the testing position; applying a first voltage between at least one pair of the plurality of connector contacts via the meter prior to the fluid sample being applied; obtaining a first measurement between the at least one pair of the plurality of connector contacts (42a, 42b, 42c, 42d) via the meter prior to the fluid sample being applied; comparing the first measurement to a first threshold; determining if a short condition exists between the plurality of leads and the plurality of connector contacts based on the comparison of the first measurement and the first threshold; applying a second voltage between at least one pair of the plurality of connector contacts via the meter after the fluid sample is applied; obtaining a second measurement between the at least one pair of the plurality of connector contacts (42a, 42b, 42c, 42d) via the meter after the fluid sample is applied; comparing the second measurement to a second threshold; and determining if an open condition exists between the plurality of leads and the plurality of connector contacts based on the comparison of the second measurement and the second threshold.