Not only does the ACT not deduct points for wrong answers, they dont try to trick you! The ACT is much more knowledge based than the SAT. You cant beat the test by learning tricks. On a positive not, you cant do poorly on the test because you dont know tricks. Another plus is that if you're weak in math, it isnt counted as much since there is a science section. Also, the science section isn't science at all. If you can read a graph, or chart, you'll do great on the science.
I took the SAT I in January of my Junior year and got an 1120 (pretty terrible) I took the ACT with no studying, prep classes, books, or anything in June of my Junior year and got a 31 (The equivalent of a 1400). Needless to say I was very happy
.
Basically, if you did poorly on the SAT, the ACT is probably the test for you.
Cory