The invention relates to a test element for the testing of a liquid sample. The test element includes a sample application area, a test field, a sample transport path extending between the sample application area and the test field and an actuator field including an electrically-conductive layer. The actuator field is switchable between a first state attracting the sample and a second state attracting the sample less by applying to the conductive layer an electric voltage that is different from an earth potential. The actuator field has a section that is arranged at about the same distance from the sample application area as the test field, measured along the sample transport path. Such that, a wetting of the test field by the sample can be controlled by applying a voltage to the actuator field.
