A reagent test strip for use in an apparatus for determining a blood glucose concentration of a sample of whole blood, the apparatus having optics for detecting intensity of light reflected from a reading surface portion of the reagent test strip. The reagent test strip includes a sample receiving surface portion for receiving an unmetered whole blood sample, a reading surface portion, other than the sample receiving surface portion, from which reflectance is read by the apparatus: and a notch for aligning the reagent test strip in the apparatus.