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When selecting wands, Ollivander does not seem to randomly pick boxes from his collection. How does he know which wand might be the right one?

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    Experience makes him pick a wand which might choose the wizard. If it doesn't, then he will change it. Remember the amount of time it took for Harry to get hands on his Phoenix feathered wand.
    – axelonet
    Mar 27, 2016 at 13:41
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    He has them fill out the Pottermore quiz.
    – ibid
    Mar 27, 2016 at 13:41

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While the wand chooses the wizard, a knowledge of wandlore can help predict which wand would pick which wizard.

Taking from Olivander's notes on the subject:

In my experience, longer wands might suit taller wizards, but they tend to be drawn to bigger personalities, and those of a more spacious and dramatic style of magic. Neater wands favour more elegant and refined spell-casting. However, no single aspect of wand composition should be considered in isolation of all the others, and the type of wood, the core and the flexibility may either counterbalance or enhance the attributes of the wand’s length.
(Pottermore - Wand Lengths and Flexibility)

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  • It would therefore stand to reason that Ollivander should interview his customers prior to recommending wands for them, would it not?
    – Yehuda
    Nov 3, 2021 at 23:08
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    @Yehuda - Perhaps he just asks them the seven questions on the Pottermore quiz.
    – ibid
    Nov 3, 2021 at 23:35
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Wands choose the wizard or witch in a way that is neither random, nor serendipitous. There is much ancient mythology and botanical knowledge regarding the powers and natures of wood and other natural elements. Wandlore, Harry Potter Wiki

This would be one of the insights an experienced wandmaker would use to know which wand could be a better fit for the wizard. But most of the time, it would be a trial and error. Also, most of the wands corresponds to the birth month's wood in the Celtic calendar, so that should really eliminate most of the extraneous candidates.

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    HP wiki isn't a reliable source.
    – ibid
    Mar 27, 2016 at 18:33

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