diff --git a/pytorch_lightning/testing_models/lm_test_module.py b/pytorch_lightning/testing_models/lm_test_module.py
index 87de2c7777..8e0718b972 100644
--- a/pytorch_lightning/testing_models/lm_test_module.py
+++ b/pytorch_lightning/testing_models/lm_test_module.py
@@ -96,12 +96,15 @@ class LightningTestModel(LightningModule):
         if self.trainer.use_dp:
             loss_val = loss_val.unsqueeze(0)
 
-        output = OrderedDict({
-            'loss': loss_val
-        })
-
-        # can also return just a scalar instead of a dict (return loss_val)
-        return output
+        # alternate possible outputs to test
+        if self.trainer.batch_nb % 1 == 0:
+            output = OrderedDict({
+                'loss': loss_val,
+                'prog': {'some_val': loss_val * loss_val}
+            })
+            return output
+        if self.trainer.batch_nb % 2 == 0:
+            return loss_val
 
     def validation_step(self, data_batch, batch_i):
         """