And the more you see words, the better your own idea of them will become. The idea is that high level sources, like the New York Times or The Atlantic, will use words that you don't know with some regularity. You've got to make up for lost time! Reading is tremendously important in developing verbal skills like reading comprehension, critical thinking, and vocabulary in context. So I wouldn't suggest studying definitions for no more than maybe 10-20% of your verbal study time. The GRE is designed to trap students who learned the definition of a word but don't understand how it's used. This is because learning the connotations of words is often just as important as learning the dictionary definition. It's a necessary evil, but only a small part of your overall preparedness for verbal. Does this mean learning vocab is a futile exercise? No. Still, high scorers can get questions right even when they don't know the vocab, and low scorers tend to get questions wrong even when they do know the vocab. You can also expect a lower score when you're getting used to the format and all. So sometimes it can be hit or miss depending on if you know the words. I too didn't know some of the vocab, but I did on the real thing. If it's any comfort, I took the first powerprep and got like a 158 only to get 170 on the test the next day. Keep at it, and let us know how things are developing! You can work on speed later, but for now you have to feel the anatomy of GRE verbal, really getting behind the questions and answers. Take your time and really break down every word in sentences and every sentence in passages.

If you get a question wrong, don't move on until you've convinced yourself why you were wrong and why the right answer is right. There's also old GRE material and Official GMAT material that can be useful, particularly for extra RC practice. I'd stick to it exclusively if I were you. Get the Official GRE Super Power Pack, as the verbal is hands down the best. GRE verbal is largely a reading test, so you absolutely have to become a strong reader. Vocab is often learned in context, though, which is why I recommend reading high level material like the New York Times or The Atlantic. Jumping from 160-165 in quant seems well within reach, but 150-160 verbal is a much bigger leap.

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