diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
index b6251ac52..b916ff62b 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -1,24 +1,29 @@
 ## what
 
 <!--
-* Describe high-level what changed as a result of these commits (i.e. in plain-english, what do these changes mean?)
-* Use bullet points to be concise and to the point.
+- Describe high-level what changed as a result of these commits (i.e. in plain-english, what do these changes mean?)
+- Use bullet points to be concise and to the point.
 -->
 
 
 ## why
 
 <!--
-* Provide the justifications for the changes (e.g. business case). 
-* Describe why these changes were made (e.g. why do these commits fix the problem?)
-* Use bullet points to be concise and to the point.
+- Provide the justifications for the changes (e.g. business case). 
+- Describe why these changes were made (e.g. why do these commits fix the problem?)
+- Use bullet points to be concise and to the point.
 -->
 
+## tests
+
+<!--
+- [ ] I have tested my changes by ...
+-->
 
 ## references
 
 <!--
-* Link to any supporting github issues or helpful documentation to add some context (e.g. stackoverflow). 
-* Use `closes #123`, if this PR closes a GitHub issue `#123`
+- Link to any supporting github issues or helpful documentation to add some context (e.g. stackoverflow). 
+- Use `closes #123`, if this PR closes a GitHub issue `#123`
 -->