The aim of this study was to provide preliminary normative guidelines for the use of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Fourth Edition (English administration) for South African Eastern Cape Xhosa-speaking adults (n=31), aged 18–32, with 12years of disadvantaged quality of education. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Fourth Edition normative indications were compared with those from an equivalent population on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Third Edition. The substitution of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Fourth Edition core subtests with supplemental subtests was also investigated. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Fourth Edition and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Third Edition findings were broadly equivalent, indicating a lowering of 20–25 intelligence quotient points compared with the US standardisation. The use of supplemental subtests revealed improved outcome on all four Index scores. It is concluded that practitioners can gainfully advance to the use of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Fourth Edition with this educationally disadvantaged African first language population, on the proviso that the extent of lowering relative to the US standardisation is taken into consideration.