Special attribute points are now used to increase attributes that, by race, exceed 6. So Elves can use SAP on Agi and Cha, Dwaves on Bod, Str and Wil, etc. Note the rules DONT say that you only use SAP to increase a stat above 6 - only that it may be used to increase a stat that, by race, has a max greater than 6.
But yeah, I'm with you: attribute points quickly fall as you go down the priority chain. SR5 att E gave you 12 points. SR6 att E only gives you TWO. That means SIX of your stats are at 1, and two are at 2. Most GMs would not allow you to run that char.
Att D only gives you 8, which is a baseline all 2s. Hopefully you're selecting a higher priority metatype and using those points on the racially special attributes.
Fun exercise: a Magic 6 Elf Shaman SR5 v SR6, maxing out charisma and getting willpower to max -1:
SR5: Magic C (4 magic), Meta C (2 points to Magic, 1 to Edge), Attr B, leaves 3 SumToTen points for skills and resources
B2 A2 R2 S2 W5 L2 I2 C8 M6 E2, plus 2 extra attribute points (18 points used, 20 given in priority B)
SR6: assuming SumToTen works the same way (no mention in book that I've see so far) Magic B (3 Magic), Meta C (3 to magic, 1 to edge, 7 to cha, 1 to dex), Attr C (1 to B,R,S,L,I, and 4 to W), leaving same 3 points for skills/resources
B2 A2 R2 S2 W5 L2 I2 C8 M6 E2, plus THREE extra attribute points (9 points used, 12 given in priority C)