TL;DR: Ray Gapuz Review Center — formally the Ray A. Gapuz Review System (RAGRS) — is a nursing-focused Philippine review center founded in 1994 by board topnotcher Ray A. Gapuz. It's best known for NLE and NCLEX preparation, with programs also covering LET, civil service, criminology, and other exams. Its official site currently lists Manila and Baguio as its two headquarters, while SchoolFinderPH's directory also carries listings for Dagupan, Davao, Bacolod, and Iloilo branches. RAGRS claims an uninterrupted 100% first-time NCLEX passing rate since 2001 — a company-reported figure, not independently audited. It doesn't publish fixed fees online, so get a direct quote from your target branch.
Why This Guide Matters
If you're searching "Gapuz review center" or "Ray Gapuz review center," you're most likely a nursing graduate weighing your NLE or NCLEX review options, or you already have a branch nearby and want to know what to expect before enrolling. RAGRS has built a specific reputation around nursing and international nurse licensure — different from broader, multi-exam chains — so it's worth understanding exactly what it covers, what it claims about results, and where its branches actually are.
This guide walks through RAGRS's history, founder background, program coverage, branch locations, and track record claims, plus how to weigh it against other nursing-focused review options.
What Is Ray Gapuz Review Center?
Ray Gapuz Review Center, formally the Ray A. Gapuz Review System (RAGRS), is a Philippine review center founded in 1994. Unlike broad, multi-profession chains, RAGRS built its reputation specifically around nursing exam preparation — both the local NLE and the U.S. NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN exams for nurses planning to work abroad.
Over time, the center expanded beyond nursing to add other PRC board exam programs and IELTS preparation, but nursing and NCLEX remain its core identity and the reason most reviewees search for it by name.
Who Founded Ray Gapuz Review Center?
The Ray Gapuz Review System was founded by Ray A. Gapuz in 1994, reportedly starting in Pangasinan with just three students. Gapuz is himself a nursing board topnotcher — he finished his Bachelor of Science in Nursing cum laude and his Master of Arts in Nursing summa cum laude, both from the University of Santo Tomas.
He later pursued graduate coursework in e-learning design and educational technology at Pennsylvania State University and trained in online facilitation at the Harvard Graduate School of Education — credentials the company points to as the basis for its online and hybrid review formats. Gapuz has also been recognized as one of Go Negosyo's inspiring Filipino entrepreneurs and has authored test-preparation guidebooks for international publishers, including Mosby-Elsevier and Jones & Bartlett.
What Exams Does Ray Gapuz Review Center Cover?
| Program Category | Exams Covered |
|---|---|
| Nursing (local) | NLE (Philippine Nursing Licensure Examination) |
| Nursing (international) | NCLEX-RN, NCLEX-PN, CGFNS, HAAD, DHA, Prometric |
| Teacher licensure | LET / BLEPT |
| Law enforcement | Criminology |
| Government service | Civil Service Examination |
| Allied health | Medical Technology, Midwifery, Dentistry |
| Language/entrance tests | IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, NMAT |
Nursing and NCLEX preparation are RAGRS's core, most established programs — the rest of the catalog has been added over the years but is not the center's primary draw. Program formats range from 24-hour intensive "bootcamp" style reviews to three-month comprehensive courses, offered face-to-face, online, or in hybrid formats.
Disclaimer: Exact program availability and schedules vary by branch and by school year — confirm current offerings directly with your target branch before enrolling.
Where Are Ray Gapuz Review Center's Branches?
RAGRS's own official website currently identifies two flagship headquarters:
| Branch | Location |
|---|---|
| Ray Gapuz Review System (Manila HQ) | Ermita, Manila |
| Baguio Headquarters | Baguio City, Benguet |
SchoolFinderPH's directory also carries listings for additional branches that reflect the network's broader footprint across the country:
| Branch | Location |
|---|---|
| Dagupan Branch | Dagupan City, Pangasinan |
| Davao Center | Davao City |
| Bacolod Center | Bacolod City |
| Iloilo Center | Iloilo City |
Since RAGRS's own site currently emphasizes Manila and Baguio as its two operating headquarters, treat the Dagupan, Davao, Bacolod, and Iloilo listings as branches that appear in directory and map data but should be confirmed directly before you plan a visit — provincial branch networks for review centers change over time, and not every listed location stays active.
How Much Does Ray Gapuz Review Center Cost?
RAGRS does not publish a centralized, fixed fee list on its official website, and none of its SchoolFinderPH branch profiles carry a published fee range. What is publicly described is the range of program formats and how long they run:
- Intensive/bootcamp: as short as 24 hours, aimed at a quick refresher closer to exam date
- Regular program: around three months, the more comprehensive full review
- Online option: available for reviewees who can't attend in person
Because pricing typically scales with program length and delivery format, a 24-hour intensive review and a three-month comprehensive course will not cost the same. Disclaimer: Fees change per school year and per branch — get a written quote directly from your target branch, and ask exactly what's included (materials, mock exams, access to online recordings) before enrolling.
What Is Ray Gapuz Review Center's Track Record?
RAGRS's marketing centers on a specific, repeated claim: an uninterrupted 100% first-time NCLEX passing rate for its reviewees dating back to 2001, which the company describes as spanning more than two decades. It also cites recognition for producing the highest number of NCLEX passers in 2005, attributing that statistic to NCSBN (the U.S. National Council of State Boards of Nursing).
Founder Ray Gapuz has framed the center's approach this way: "While other nursing review centers in the Philippines focus on test-taking strategies, RAGRS focuses on creating competent, confident, culturally-prepared nurses ready for international practice." The center has also received recognition from Super Brands and the Philippine Nurses Association, according to its own materials.
These figures and honors are self-reported by RAGRS; SchoolFinderPH did not find an independent, third-party audit confirming the exact 100% figure across every cohort since 2001. Treat the claim as the company's own track-record positioning, and weigh it alongside recent Google reviews for the specific branch and program format you're considering — several reviewers on file specifically credit the Baguio headquarters and its instructors, including founder Ray Gapuz's direct involvement in bootcamp sessions, for their NCLEX and NLE results.
How Does Ray Gapuz Review Center Compare to Other NLE Review Centers?
RAGRS's main differentiator is its narrow, nursing-first focus — especially its emphasis on NCLEX preparation for nurses planning to work abroad, which broader multi-exam chains don't specialize in as deeply.
| Factor | Ray Gapuz Review Center | Multi-Exam Review Chains |
|---|---|---|
| Core focus | Nursing (NLE) and NCLEX, with other exams added later | Multiple professions under one brand |
| International exam support | NCLEX-RN/PN, CGFNS, HAAD, DHA, Prometric | Varies; not always a focus |
| Program formats | 24-hour intensive up to 3-month comprehensive, online/hybrid available | Varies by center |
| Branch network | Concentrated in Manila and Baguio, with additional listed branches in Visayas/Mindanao | Often broader, sometimes 100+ branches |
| Published fees | Not published centrally; varies by program length and branch | Varies by center |
If you're deciding between nursing-focused specialists more broadly, our best NLE review centers guide compares several options side by side. If you're closer to exam day and want general strategy, our how to pass the NLE on your first try guide covers study approach independent of which center you choose.
How to Choose the Right Program or Branch
- Match the program length to your timeline. If your NLE or NCLEX date is close, the 24-hour intensive/bootcamp format may fit better than the full three-month course — but make sure you have the foundational review already in place before choosing the shorter track.
- Confirm whether your target branch is currently active. Since RAGRS's own site emphasizes Manila and Baguio, call ahead before traveling to a provincial branch to confirm it's still operating and offering the program you need.
- Ask specifically about NCLEX support if you're going abroad. If your goal is NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN rather than just the local NLE, confirm the branch has current NCLEX-specific materials and instructors, since this is RAGRS's specialty.
- Get a written fee quote tied to your specific format. Because cost likely scales with program length (intensive vs. three-month) and delivery mode (in-person vs. online), don't compare a quoted price without confirming exactly which format it covers.
- Read recent, branch-specific reviews. Company-wide claims like the 100% NCLEX passing rate don't tell you about your specific branch's current mentors and class sizes — recent Google reviews for that exact location are more useful.
Ready to find the right school? Browse schools or compare tuition and reviews across hundreds of Philippine schools on SchoolFinderPH.
Sources
- Ray A. Gapuz Review System — official site, About Us
- The Gapuz Difference — About Us
- Ray A. Gapuz Review System — official homepage
- SchoolFinderPH review center profiles: Ray Gapuz Review System, Baguio HQ, Dagupan, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo (Google review data aggregated on these profiles)
