Previewed at the recent Nafsa 2012 Conference, the Toefl Search Service will offer educators access to an expanding database of more than 200,000 recent test takers who have opted in to learn about higher education opportunities abroad. The database will offer up to 26 criteria to customise results and connect with potential students.

The service, which will be powered by Hobsons, will include web-based search capabilities that can be automated to receive real-time data, data that integrates with leading campus management systems, and customised search results by an institution’s preferred criteria.

“For the first time ever, the Toefl Search Service connects colleges and universities with Toefl test takers interested in learning more about higher education opportunities abroad,” said David Hunt, Vice President and COO of ETS’s Global Division. “This is a powerful new recruitment tool to assist admissions officers in expanding targeted international candidate pools.”

Craig Heldman, CEO of Hobsons, which provides recruitment and communication solutions for colleges and universities, said, “Hobsons’ collaboration with ETS will arm recruiters with targeted recruitment data that can be easily integrated with existing student information systems to help schools meet enrolment goals and shape incoming classes.”

Study Travel Magazine has asked ETS to confirm what percentage of test takers have so far opted in to this service, but as yet has not received a response.

In other news, ETS has announced the introduction of biometric voice identification for Toefl testing. The security measure software uses statistical pattern matching techniques, advanced voice classification methods, and inputs from multiple systems to compare speech samples from Toefl test takers. The new technology will be used as part of test security investigations this year and will be gradually introduced from 2013.

Administered by ETS, the Toefl test is accepted by over 8,500 institutions in more than 130 countries.