  The $k\cdot p$ effective mass approximation (EMA) predicts large, nearly
size-independent exciton oscillator strengths in quantum confined
semiconductors. Yet, experimental reports have concluded that the total
oscillator strength of the lowest-energy (1S$_{3/2}$1S$_{\text{e}}$) excitons
in strongly confined CdSe NQDs is small and strongly size-dependent. Using the
optical Stark effect, we show that the oscillator strength of the
1S$_{3/2}$1S$_{\text{e}}$ excitonic absorption peak in CdSe NQDs follows the
predictions of the EMA. These oscillator strengths enable helicity-selective
unsaturated Stark shifts corresponding to femtosecond pseudo-magnetic fields
exceeding 100 T.
