<p>I agree with the OP; doing well on the SAT is a matter of preparation, but more so of pure luck. A single misbubble or mistake in the math section is the difference of 50 points. Why? The curve. The difference between a 2400 and a 2200 can be a matter of 5 questions, but those 5 questions may have well changed an application. </p>
<p>As for the OP’s question, you have to admit that some AP courses taught by teachers are a joke. Some may be hard, and even harder than college courses, but generally, colleges aren’t sure whether or not you came from a rigorous chemistry class, or a joke one.</p>