Although at the upper end of the score range, large score fluctuations occur, and score distribution matters. For instance, if the 2200 is attained with an 800 in math, a single wrong answer during the next sitting can get a student to 2150. If the 2200 is attained with a 750, eliminating the one wrong answer brings that student to 2250. On the other hand, an extra right/wrong answer in CR or writing will matter less, as will right/wrong answers in math with a score in the 500-600 range - a change of 1 answer in either category could make a 20-30 point difference.
This of course only adds to your point - which is that ranges are a better indicator than hard scores - but it’s always struck me as another odd aspect of the SAT. If there are too many students getting 800s (which is why the math curve is so punishing at the upper end), why not make the math section harder.