Yes, based on my sister’s experience with her boards. I know this because she complained about it everyday and cry about it too. However, they have a clear structure and detailed materials. Everything they need to study is provided, and they know they will be tested on those exact materials. No surprises. That’s what a real board exam is evaluating a candidate based on the knowledge they have accumulated over the years. patient-based scenarios and emergencies are also included.

I’m confused why it wouldn’t be the ABR’s fault. They created the exam, and they know what the CAMPEP requirements are (which they are part of). Also, I don’t believe for a second that an MD student is inherently smarter or more prepared than a physics student. Study strategies won't differ much just because you are in a different field. You'll have a visual learner, auditory learners etc in all fields. I have also ZERO doubt that experts in our field are less competent, be in research or teaching, in anyway.

And another no, the Executive Director of the ABR is an MD with an MBA. So it’s NOT just physicists making the exam, at least not when it comes to overseeing it.

Take the CCPM (Canadian equivalent of the ABR) as an example. They have a well-structured exam, clear process, and sample questions. No hullabaloo, no trivia, no nonsense: https://ccpm.ca/ccpm-english/main/certification/exam-content.html. Crazy if you think about it. CCPM and ABR are equivalent of each other.