A test meter for use win an analytical test strip for the determination of an analyte (such as glucose) in a bodily fluid sample (e.g., a whole blood sample) includes a test meter housing and a strip port connector. The test meter housing has a distal end with a strip port opening configured to receive the analytical test strip. The strip port connector is integrated with the distal end of the test meter housing and has a distal portion with an analytical test strip guide. The analytical test strip guide has an upper guide surface configured such that an analytical test strip received in the strip port opening is guided and supported by the upper guide surface and also has a liquid entrapment feature configured to direct free liquid that enters the strip port opening away from the upper guide surface and entrap such directed liquid in the distal portion of the strip port connector and/or the distal end of the test meter housing. The strip port connector also has a proximal portion disposed within the test meter housing with the proximal portion having an electrical connector pin configured for operable electrical contact with an analytical test strip received within the strip port opening.