True, but after a mid 160s LSAT score, the 4-6 hrs per day may be fine for a 170+ on the next test.
To commute to Fisch and study well, he'd probably have to stop working in Oct & Nov.
The 1/3 gets in the 170's is a great motivator. If there's a 75% + change in that, then this is worth doing full time. (Married and paying Brooklyn rent)
The goal here is to try to get into Northwestern; ideally with a scholarship.
Maybe it is enough. Maybe not. The best practice is taking dozens of simulated tests and hundreds of simulated sections with timers. And some with no timers just trying to get every question correct.
The thing is improving to the 170's is the hardest part and while someome can get in the 160's with not studying intensely it has no indication they can do the same to get in the 170's. But I'm not saying he can't.
What is he working as now? If it's not an important job I don't see how it can be worth it to work now regardless if he knows he wants law school he should be putting his blood sweat and tears and whatever the cost to get the best score possible. Why go for a 170? Go for a 180. Striving high is a great motivator, and can help a lot.
And remember even with all the practice tests there is nothing like test day. Nerves are something that is hard to practice for. I say next to someone that was getting a 178-180 on all his recent simulated practice tests. He cancelled his score on test day because he set read his watch wrong for how much time he had left and bombed an entire section...
Also how much have you looked into Northwestern scholars who gets them? what GPA/lsat/work experience they have to have?