diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests_cmake_t8code_w_shipped_submodules.yml b/.github/workflows/tests_cmake_t8code_w_shipped_submodules.yml
index 3340b57466..01f83aac5b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests_cmake_t8code_w_shipped_submodules.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests_cmake_t8code_w_shipped_submodules.yml
@@ -99,8 +99,15 @@ jobs:
       run: cd build && ninja $MAKEFLAGS
     - name: ninja install
       run: cd build && ninja install $MAKEFLAGS
-    - name: ninja test
-      run: cd build && ninja test
+    - name: serial tests (if MPI is enabled)
+      run: cd build && ctest $MAKEFLAGS -R _serial
+      if: ${{ inputs.MPI == 'ON' }}
+    - name: parallel tests (if MPI is enabled)
+      run: cd build && ctest -R _parallel
+      if: ${{ inputs.MPI == 'ON' }}
+    - name: tests (if MPI is disabled)
+      run: cd build && ctest $MAKEFLAGS
+      if: ${{ inputs.MPI == 'OFF' }}
     - name: OnFailUploadLog
       if: failure()
       uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4