There are also instructors who go above and beyond the standards based on student experience and skills to make the course not only informative but also challenging. Someone who has been diving a while and is good at navigation to start with is not going to do a square, triangle, etc with me. I may have them do a quick one to meet standards but then given the time available on a shallow site I'd like to see them do a path with 3 or 4 course changes, swims of different lengths on those changes, and one of the legs using a line and reel to complete it.
SDI allows instructors to augment and add to the course to increase student skill, knowledge, and comfort. So I also use my second book as an additional resource for the class. Especially the chapter on Gas Management during the 6-8 hours of classroom that is included with the Advanced Adventure course I offer.
For an experienced diver, a by the book AOW class is likely not going to be very challenging.
For a new diver, that same by the book class may actually be dangerous.
Many ops now use that AOW card to release themselves from liability.
"Got an AOW card? Sure, we'll drop you on the Spiegel Grove in a 1-knot current!"
Doesn't matter that the AOW card may only indicate that the diver has 9 or 10 dives, all with an instructor, and all in the same location. And that the deep dive was to 70 feet for 10 minutes at most to open a lock or write your name backwards.
You have a card that will allow you access to dives you may have absolutely no business being on with your current level of actual experience and knowledge.