A California appeals court will not hear arguments over the state's controversial high school exit exam until July 25, ending any chance that students who have failed the test will earn a diploma this school year.

It is uncertain whether those students will be able to receive diplomas if the exit exam is thrown out by the appeals court.

Also unclear is how many students statewide will ultimately not get a diploma this school year because of the exit exam requirement. Some are awaiting results after taking the test a final time, and others will fail to graduate for other reasons.