My teacher taught the core with extreme detailed, in class discussions and as such. But in terms of our notes, for each dotpoint we wouldn't have more than half a page to remember. The idea is that it is a source based exam, in which the sources will spark some connections with the information you have already learned throughout your study of the topic. The reason we have very little class notes, is purely because the 10 mark essay is based on source analysis - so you don't need to know content from the syllabus - and the fact that the maximum mark of a question is like 6 or 8 - which means only 6-8 valuable points of information. So really, you should have very broad knowledge on the core, and not extensive amounts of detail on each dot point, otherwise you really do get bogged down in information.
I think it's the Macquarie Study Guide which has flashcards in the back, if you make flash cards or notes in a similar manner, with only the important information it will help with breaking down the content for the core.
Doing past papers will also help you condense information, and will improve you ability to answer questions using both your own knowledge and the information from the sources.
To answer your question. No. Don't trust your gut instincts, they can literally ask you on anything. I've done a few trial past papers (CSSA, Independent and ARC) and there's been questions on the Homefronts, Trenches, Changing Attitudes, Turning Points, Women, The Big Three, and Tactics and Nature of Trench Warfare. So I would be trying to have notes on each dotpoint and doing a few past papers. It is really too much of a risk to just focus on those few that you mentioned. And I'd hate to see that happen to someone in the HSC exam.
